Can England finally end a Down Under drought?

NOT SINCE 2011 HAS AN AWAY TEAM RETURNED WITH AN ASHES VICTORY...

- PAUL MARTIN

ENGLISH cricket's obsession with the Ashes is at times regarded as unhealthy but there is no doubt reclaiming the urn will be top of Ben Stokes' and Brendon McCullum's to-do list for 2025.

After all, this is the series they have been planning for almost from the minute the thrilling contest on home soil concluded last summer.

On that occasion, England's fightback was scuppered by Manchester rain and the spoils were shared 2-2, keeping the treasured trophy in Australian hands for another two and a half years.

The time since has seen Stokes, McCullum and Rob Key scouring the circuit for players they feel can succeed in Australian conditions.

It has been a particularly beneficial time to be a spinner with a high release point, a raw paceman capable of breakneck speeds or a precocious batter fond of getting on with it.

The likes of Shoaib Bashir, Josh Hull and Jacob Bethell have all been fast-tracked to the Test side in recent months, with England's selectors looking past previously sworn-by concepts such as firstclass records and opting for a more vibes-based approach (a decent golf handicap also appears to do no harm).

It has had mixed results to date but, whether a fan of England's relaxed attitude or not, the entertainment value cannot be questioned and there were signs on the recent tour of New Zealand that the building blocks are in place for another successful trip Down Under next winter.