Sir Ian Botham says England must appear into their Evaluation team to bed in some young talent as they build to the future and plan for the Ashes in Australia in just two years time.
Australia keep the urn with the 2-2 tie, although after clinching a triumph in the fifth and final Test at The Oval england attracted that summer’s Ashes series.
Botham considers the result is a fair reflection about the show, including that his 774 along with Steve Smith runs for the series has shown the gap between both sides.
“Things swung in that first Test at Edgbaston,” said Botham. “Australia were 122-8 and then built those ventures using the tailenders.
“Steve Smith was magnificent. And he has become the standout for the entire series.
“I actually stated, if he doesn’t fail today, he is not human. He did neglect [scoring 23] however he has been quite wonderful.
“If you take a look at the two sides, then batting was an issue for both, particularly the top purchase. Ben Stokes has been the exclusion for England and Steve Smith for Australia.
“I feel that the speed attack of Australia has been exceptional. They have played better cricket.
“But England are at a fairly good location generally, they just require a bit of fine tuning.
“Together with the bowling, we are in a similar position to Australia, we’ve got lots of young talent coming but England should examine the batting line-up.
“Are they really going to look at younger players, which I believe that they have to do? It’s two or three years until we’re back to the Ashes – and – you’re going to wish to have a negative that is settled, therefore now is the time.
“In New Zealand, it is a wonderful chance to experiment, have a look and see what these young guys can do. Zac Crawley, players like this, who everyone was discussing.”
Botham was talking in good his mate David Gower’s final stints as broadcasters for Sky Sports after 25 decades of service, and he represented on his time behind the mike.
“It’s been fun,” he added. “It was the beginning of Sky and I mentioned at the time,’what exactly are we going to do? Where are we likely to proceed with this?’
“They said, we would like to bring the sport to the front room of those folks at home watching. I believe we’ve got close to that.
“It has been a great trip. There’s youthful blood on the market, time to proceed. However, it has been wonderful; the parts of the world we have seen, the matches we have seen and the players who have surfaced.”
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