Reflecting on their preparations for the 2019 Ashes against Australia, England found themselves on the verge of a significant upset in a Test match against Ireland. Despite a meager first-innings total of 85, England managed to secure a victory thanks to an Irish collapse and the heroics of Jack Leach, who contributed with both bat and ball. Fast forward to the present, and certain parallels can be drawn.

In 2019, Olly Stone made his pace-bowling debut for England, while Jason Roy’s opening spot was in question. Now, it is Josh Tongue making his debut, and Zak Crawley finding himself under scrutiny. James Anderson’s absence was a common factor in both instances due to injury concerns. However, England hopes the similarities end there, particularly because Stone has had limited Test appearances since then, Roy was dropped from the team, and Anderson’s contributions were hampered in subsequent series against Australia.

The 2019 Ashes series ended in a drawn result of 2-2, largely owing to Ben Stokes’ remarkable innings at Headingley. Without his heroic performance, England could have potentially faced a more unfavorable outcome. Nonetheless, the result allowed England to end Australia’s streak of four consecutive series wins on English soil.

Looking ahead to 2023, England has undergone a transformation, largely due to the revitalization of the Test team led by captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum. Unlike previous England squads, they approached the match against Ireland with confidence and a determination to avoid any embarrassing defeat. Ireland displayed some resilience, particularly on the third afternoon, but England’s dominant 10-wicket victory showcased a significant gap in class.

England’s declaration at 524-4 after tea on the second day, despite the match being shortened to four days, exemplified their dominance. Captain Stokes revealed that he would have considered batting for another three sessions had it been a five-day match, hinting that England could have potentially surpassed 1,000 runs. It is important to note that although Ireland has played more Tests than England this year, the threat posed by their bowlers does not compare to facing the likes of Pat Cummins and his Australian counterparts.

Nonetheless, England’s current form indicates that they are in an optimal position to challenge for the Ashes urn. With 11 wins from 13 Tests, they possess a clarity of thought, confidence, and composure. Success has allowed players like Ollie Pope and Ollie Robinson to gain belief, despite their previous Ashes experience ending in a 4-0 defeat. Ashes debutants Ben Duckett and Harry Brook have shown excellent form in Test cricket, while veterans Anderson and Stuart Broad are rejuvenated and eager for another crack at Australia.

In contrast to the 2019 approach, England now prioritizes Test cricket over white-ball cricket, having not played a limited-overs match since March and with the next one scheduled for September. Questions regarding the lack of meaningful red-ball batting practice for certain players were dismissed by Captain Stokes as outdated, indicating that facing Ireland may not have significantly influenced their readiness to face the Australians in two weeks’ time.

However, there are lingering concerns, particularly regarding Stokes’ knee injury, which holds significant importance, much like David Beckham’s metatarsal injury in football. Stokes managed to captain the team to victory against Ireland without actively participating in batting, bowling, or keeping wicket, displaying his adaptability and leadership qualities.

Stokes remains confident that he will be able to bowl in the upcoming Edgbaston Test, but for the first time in generations, Australia’s fully fit Cameron Green provides them with an all-round option that England might lack. In the post-Andrew Flintoff era,