Veteran England cricketer Marcus Trescothick has said that he believed that England will have a 'comfortable' Ashes victory against Australia, and will look to break any confidence that may have been restored by the appointment of Darren Lehmann as head coach.
The former England opener will lead Somerset against the tourists at Taunton on Wednesday ahead of the Ashes, in which England go as favourites after Australia's poor showing in the ICC Champions Trophy and a variety of off-the-field issues, the Guardian reports.
Predicting that the home side will retain the Ashes despite the burden of being labelled as favourites, Trescothick said that although Australia will get together and rally around Lehmann quickly, their cracks can be opened under pressure by England, who, he added, is a better side and more controlled in different areas with all bases covered.
Stating that England should step in and win the series comfortably, Trescothick, who was part of the 2005 Ashes-winning side, further said that although England will need to deliver as they are going as favourites, they can manage to expose the areas where the Australian team is weaker.
According to Trescothick, the change in Australian team management will not have a long-term galvanizing effect despite the appointment of Lehmann, adding that Australia will have a hard time maintaining their strength as they have not built that over a longer period of time.
However, Trescothick, who played against Lehmann in the 2002-03 series in Australia, acknowledged that the new Australian coach will bring a different approach from his South African predecessor, given that he is relaxed and jovial, adding that he is also well-liked among the Australian public.
Praising young England batsmen Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root, who will be making their Ashes debuts against Australia this summer, Trescothick said that he believed that the duo will have a fine time at the Ashes, and hoped that they manage to carry on the same vein.
Praising Root, who has been confirmed to open the batting in England's four-day warm up game against Essex, Trescothick further said that the young Yorkshireman has adapted well to batting, adding that having a good attitude, Root can do well in any position.
