2009 Ashes / Andrew Hughes / 02 July 2009 / Leave a comment

The Ashes is a series that can catapult little known cricketers to stardom. Andrew Hughes looks at three lower profile players who could make a big impact this summer

Peter Siddle

The fourth prong in an Australian bowling attack that will be dominated by pace bowling, Siddle has sneaked into England under the radar. Much of the pre-Ashes speculation has been about the form of Brett Lee, the talent of Mitchell Johnson and the fitness of Stuart Clark. But the powerfully built former wood-chopper from Victoria is the wild card who could deliver Ashes victory for Ricky Ponting.

Having played just eleven first class matches, Siddle burst onto the international scene last autumn and with his first ball in Test cricket, rattled the helmet of Gautam Gambhir. A learning experience in India was followed by a series of dangerous and rapid spells at the MCG against South Africa. In his brief Test career he has already shown a typically aggressive and hostile fast bowlers attitude that recalls another chunky Victorian, the great Mervyn Hughes.

He could well find himself used in a similar role to that which Hughes played so well during his memorable tours of England. Whilst Johnson and Lee will be used in short bursts and Clark will have the job of tying batsmen down, Siddle is likely to operate in long spells, sapping the will of the English batsmen with his relentless pace. Given that he is likely to have plenty of overs, he is worth a look at [5.1] in the top Aussie bowlers market.

Marcus North

It was assumed that Shane Watson would be the man to take advantage should Andrew Symonds finally destroy the career he has seemed so determined to throw away. But Watson's continuing injury problems have allowed the unheralded North to earn his baggy green. In typical Aussie fashion, having waited so long for his chance, he grabbed it with both hands, scoring a century on his debut in South Africa.

In his latest article Ed Hawkins suggested that North is a player brought up on hard Antipodean pitches who could be vulnerable in slower, swing-friendly English conditions. I disagree. Though he is a natural timer of the ball, he is more of a grinder than a flasher, scoring his runs in South Africa more slowly than any of his teammates. Indeed, his Test call-up was partly due to a reputation for scoring vital runs on tricky pitches. He has played for five English counties, averaging over fifty in seasons 2006, 2007 and 2008 so should have no problem coping with the swinging Duke ball or the English pitches.

North's contribution could be vital in other areas. If, as expected, the Australian selectors plump for a four-fast bowler strategy, he will be the main spinner. Though he is no Shane Warne, his off spin is tidy and well-organised and he is more than capable of doing the holding job required whilst the quick bowlers take a rest. The current captain of Western Australia, his experience will also be of help to Ricky Ponting on the field and in the dressing room.

Matt Prior

The third of our potentially crucial players is likely to be Marcus North's opposite number in the England batting line-up. During the World Twenty20, Prior must have grown weary of listening to the endless praise for James Foster and the inevitable calls for the Essex glove man to graduate to the Test team. But though Prior's wicket keeping has been patchy, his batting has gone from strength to strength. Indeed, he can now be considered as England's main Test all-rounder, given that Andrew Flintoff has struggled with the bat since 2005. In fact, Flintoff's average has never risen above 33, whilst Prior's has never fallen below 38 and is currently higher than that of Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook and Paul Collingwood.

In 2005, Geraint Jones was criticised for some glaring errors and we should expect that Prior will make one or two. But in that series, Jones also chipped in with vital runs and was a key part of the Ashes victory. Prior is a far better batsman than Jones, worthy of a place in the top six and his quick runs should give England the middle order impetus they have so often lacked.