Having now won their final away Test series before next winter’s Ashes, England can look ahead to that huge series in Australia with renewed optimism.
A big reason for that, and why they’ve clinched the series against New Zealand with a game to spare, is the emergence of Brydon Carse and Gus Atkinson this year.
Alongside Chris Woakes the pair have steamrollered the Black Caps, with Carse’s 16 wickets in the series at 12.81 and Atkinson’s eight at 27.12 the key to why Ben Stokes’ men have won the opening two Tests in Christchurch and Wellington so convincingly.
Carse, especially, looks a bowler tailor-made for Australian conditions – big, quick, energetic and with an ability to zero in on batters’ weaknesses against the short ball.
The bouncier the pitch the more dangerous he will be, which is probably why he admitted after the victory in Wellington last weekend he has allowed himself to look ahead to the Ashes.
The 29-year-old, who only made his debut in Pakistan last month, said: “Confidence is a funny thing in sport, when you put in a couple of decent performances, feel confident within your bowling, you feel like you can take on the world.
“There’s a lot of exciting cricket in the red-ball format, a massive series against India [next summer]. Then the winter. It’s every player’s dream to be part of an Ashes squad and to go to Australia and do well.”
Across his four Tests, Carse has bowled exclusively with the Kookaburra ball that will be used in Australia next winter, taking 25 wickets at 16.96.
Yet where are England overall with their bowling options ahead of the Ashes?
Will the current attack in New Zealand stay together and who might come in or emerge over the coming months before the first Ashes Test starts in Perth on 21 November?
The i Paper takes a look at the contenders…
Brydon Carse
The Durham quick is locked in for Australia and England need to make sure he stays fit. Expect him to be on the white-ball tour of India in the New Year, Test coach Brendon McCullum’s first as limited-overs supremo.
It’s likely Carse will be in England’s squad for the Champions Trophy in February and March so expect him to miss the T20s in India and come out for the 50-over series. After that he will be going to the Indian Premier League, where he was picked up for a bargain £95,000 by Sunrisers Hyderabad.
It means he will likely miss the first Test of the summer against Zimbabwe in May but after a period of rest he will be ready for the five home Tests against India and then the winter Down Under.
Ashes likelihood: 10/10
Gus Atkinson
Like Carse, the Surrey bowler is likely to go out to India next month for the ODI series and then to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy. Atkinson is not in the IPL so will get a long rest and then a managed return to County Championship action in late April.
Ashes likelihood: 10
Mark Wood
Also in South Africa with the Lions as he works his way back from elbow injury that prematurely ended his summer. Missing the IPL and could also miss white-ball winter for England depending on fitness. But he should play major role this summer and in Australia.
Ashes likelihood: 9
Jofra Archer
Decision to play in the IPL has complicated return to red-ball cricket at the start of the summer after four years without playing a Test.
His pace makes him essential for Australia but he needs to stay injury free – not a given.
With the Champions Trophy in mind, he will be involved with white-ball teams in the New Year. He’ll then hope to drop into the India series mid-summer and will likely have to get through a couple of Tests to make Australia.
Ashes likelihood: 7
Matthew Potts
Bustling workhorse yet to play in this series but another who could come in for the final Test. Has a role to play next summer, particularly if he takes wickets for Durham early in the season. Expect him to play the Zimbabwe Test.
Ashes likelihood: 7
Chris Woakes
He’s 36 in March and has a ropey overseas record but don’t rule out Woakes making Australia, even if it is only to play in the day-night Test in Brisbane – the second of the series. He has been excellent with the Kookaburra in New Zealand.
Could be an option for the Champions Trophy and will taper his return with Warwickshire at the start of the summer ahead of that one-off Test against Zimbabwe in Nottingham starting on 22 May.
Ashes likelihood: 7
Olly Stone
Played two Tests against Sri Lanka last summer, taking seven wickets at 29.42, after a three-year gap between appearances largely down to a serious back injury.
Will hope to play the final Test against New Zealand in Hamilton starting on Saturday.
Could be one to drop out of contention next summer but he is express pace so a definite squad option for Australia.
Ashes likelihood: 6
Dan Worrall
The 33-year-old from Melbourne played three ODIs for Australia in 2016 but has a British passport and qualifies for England in April.
His 52 wickets at 16 last summer helped Surrey win the County Championship and prompted England’s director of cricket Rob Key to say: “You can’t not notice Dan Worrall. He’s got brilliant attributes to be an international bowler. It won’t be the case we won’t pick him because he’s grown up in another country. England have had a lot of success picking people who have grown up abroad.”
Could absolutely be a wild-card pick for the Ashes. It’d be very Bazball.
Ashes likelihood: 6
Josh Tongue
Took 10 wickets at 25 when he played both Lord’s Tests last year against Ireland and Australia.
The 25-year-old has been blighted by pectoral and hamstring injuries since.
Currently in South Africa with England Lions working his way back to fitness and would be a boon if he can get through some Championship cricket this summer to put himself in the frame for a Test return. Australia seems a push at this stage.
Ashes likelihood: 4
Josh Hull
The 20-year-old 6ft 7inch left-armer made a surprise debut in the final Test of the summer against Sri Lanka at The Oval.
Was picked for the tour of Pakistan but was ruled out with a quad injury.
Another who is in South Africa with the Lions and unlikely to play Test cricket next summer or the following winter Down Under.
Ashes likelihood: 1
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