England are all set to begin their Ashes campaign tomorrow at the Gabba. A number of former England cricketers have had their say on the Ashes, with some discussing the tactics they can employ or the selections they need to make. Now David Lloyd, former England coach, has added to the discussion – by claiming that England will win the Ashes 4-0.

Lloyd based his expectation around the return of Ben Stokes. The Durham all-rounder hasn’t played a Test since England’s tour of India earlier this year, but looks all set to make his comeback at the Gabba. He was a late addition to the Ashes squad, which in its original shape and form was deemed as “unexciting” by many. Lloyd was of a similar opinion at the time.

“It was all doom and gloom as far as I was concerned the day England announced their Ashes squad,” Lloyd said, writing for Daily Mail. “Where was the fire? Where was the aggression? The pace? I couldn’t see anything other than a 5-0 Australia win. But things have changed.”

This change wasn’t only down to the return of Stokes.

“Not only have they added a fit-again Ben Stokes — and I’m told he is firing on all cylinders — but there has been a massive shifting of the goalposts. And that’s left me feeling much more optimistic,” he said. “I’ll now go 4-0 to the tourists!”

He continued the discussion with the weather conditions in Australia, stating how a wet summer could negate the pitch preparations in Brisbane and make the conditions more English.

“It sounds like it’s going to be an English early-season type seaming pitch with no great pace, which brings England right into this Ashes.”

Australia’s woes in recent times are well-known to cricket followers. They had to change their skipper at the last minute. They’ve also had little Test match practice going into the Ashes. This was referenced by Lloyd, who believed that their preparation had been thrown off a bit.

“Australia have had just as little preparation as England — even less with the red ball — and have had to change their captain at the last moment, with the rarity of a fast bowler, Pat Cummins, taking over from Tim Paine. He’s very capable and a wonderful bowler but I see Steve Smith has been shoved in as vice-captain and there’s no doubt in my mind he’ll lead the side in all but name.”

He believed England did have issues of their own. One of these was the opening combination of Rory Burns and Haseeb Hameed,

“My concern remains England’s openers. Rory Burns is still batting with a technique that no-one has ever succeeded with in Test cricket, and Haseeb Hameed reminds me of a schoolboy trying to have his turn to bat. You can’t block your way to success in Australia. Yes, you have to defend well — one of the greatest attacking batsmen of them all, Viv Richards, had a fantastic defence — but you have to score and I just don’t see Hameed as ‘game savvy’.”

However, the former England player believed that the rest of team can more than make up for it. He was also in favour of giving a chance to Chris Woakes at No.8

“I would go with Woakes in that final bowling place because he adds to the batting strength at eight and his bowling should be perfect for these conditions.”

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