Outcome of Ashes anybody’s guess as England face formidable task

The Poms and the Baggy Greens are at it again in what promises to be a gripping six weeks in the cricket calendar.

The Ashes kicked off at Edgbaston yesterday with a true sense of anticipation.

Could England’s new-found positive approach under captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum be able to match the powerful Australians?

The memories of being outplayed in Australia 18 months ago have not been totally forgotten despite England’s “Bazball” resurgence in the past year. Even McCullum admits the task is “formidable.”

Nobody can be sure jut how the series will pan out, which is just the way it should be. Over the years in the 72 Ashes series, Australia hold the edge having won 34 times to England’s 32, with six series drawn.

The “warm-up” matches for the two teams could not have been more different.

England enjoyed a comfortable win against an Ireland side…