What makes the 2019 Ashes special?
It’s Ashes time! After the euphoria of the World Cup, England and Australia are ready to reignite their age-old rivalry in the longest format of the game. This will be the 71st time in 137 years that both teams will square off in their quest for the Ashes urn. England are fresh from their World Cup triumph. While Australia are set to welcome the ‘sandpaper’ trio back into the fold.
But that’s not the only thing to look forward to this year. Here are some interesting things that make the 2019 Ashes special for players, teams, spectators and fans alike.
Also read: A brief look at the history of the Ashes
Test whites get a revamp
Older Test cricket loyalists may not take a liking to this, but the modern-day fan will certainly appreciate it. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has introduced player names and jersey numbers on the back of the Test jerseys. The Ashes will be the first series to display this new feature, with both teams donning their names and numbers on the back. This new tweak will make it easier for spectators in the stadium and fans at home to identify players on the field.
The race for points begins
England Test captain Joe Root poses with the Ashes urn
This will also be the first time in Ashes history that teams will compete for points along with the coveted urn. With the arrival of the Test Championship, both England and Australia will hope to score the most points with one eye on the trophy. As per the rules of the Championship, a maximum of 120 points are up for grabs in a Test series.
In a five-match Test series, each Test win carries 24 points, whereas a tie will give each team 12 points. If a Test ends in a draw, the points will be divided in a ratio of 3:1, (8 points per team). Of the nine participating teams, two teams with the most points will play the championship final in June 2021.
New rules, new penalties
Australia Test captain Tim Paine poses with the Ashes urn
The 2019 Ashes will witness a set of new rules being implemented to further enhance Test cricket. In a welcome move, the ICC has approved like-for-like substitutes for players who suffer concussions on the field and can no longer take part in the match. For example, if the fielder who gets hits on the head during the match is a batsman, another batsman in the squad will replace him. If there is no like-for-like replacement, no substitution will happen. The final decision will still be in the hands of the match referee.
The ICC has also come down heavily on slow over rates in Test cricket that affected a team’s captain the most. As per the old rule, if a team is behind the over rate, the captain is liable to pay a heavy fine. If it continues for the next couple of matches, the captain is suspended for a game or two. According to the new rules, all players of the team will now pay equal fines and there will be no suspension for the captain.
However, keeping the Test Championship in mind, teams will now face a deduction of points for every two overs in case of slow over rates.
Lord’s to turn red
England cricketer Andrew Strauss poses for photographs with his wife Ruth, after receiving his Order of the British Empire (OBE) from Britain’s Princess Anne at Windsor Castle, Berkshire, on October 4, 2011. AFP
15th August 2019 – on day two of the second Ashes Test, the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground is set to turn red in aid of the Ruth Strauss Foundation. Former England captain Andrew Strauss set up the foundation to honour his wife Ruth, who died of a rare form of lung cancer in late 2018.
The Lord’s Cricket Ground, England & Wales Cricket Board and the Marylebone Cricket Club will all be supporting the noble cause together. Players from both England and Australia will wear special commemorative shirts sporting the foundation’s logo, red caps and red numbers on the back of their jerseys. Fans visiting on day two of the Test are invited to paint the stadium red by wearing the colour. Supporters can also make donations at the ground as well as from home.
