The Ashes 2013: Ashton Agar and Things to Watch in Cricket Classic

The highlight of this year’s Ashes series so far has undoubtedly been the uncovering of Ashton Agar as the talent he really is, and probably always has been.

Just 19 years of age, the teenager has already set about breaking records left, right and centre, but a spectator can only hope that isn’t the end of the spectacle.

Just three days into our five-day series, a raft of other foresight and predictions may yet come to pass in the next month-and-a-half, a few of which are discussed below.

All Aboard for Agar

Several days ago, large portions of the sport world were oblivious as to who Ashton Agar was, never mind just how much damage he could do to England's Ashes campaign.

However, after opening his Ashes account in a major way, the debutant is now fixed firmly in the public eye and doesn't look likely to shift anytime soon.

Just two runs short of becoming the first No. 11 to hit a century in a test match, Agar still managed to make 50 runs in his first innings. Quite the achievement for one barely old enough to drink alcohol in his native territory.

It's anyone's guess as to whether the youngster can continue such a rise through this series. Having now experienced the teenager first-hand, England will be more aware as to just how much of a threat Agar poses to their Ashes hopes, but it is also well aware of just how much quality he so evidently possesses in both sides of his game.

The Rise and Rise of Root

England’s opening man at Trent Bridge, perhaps, hasn’t been the batting sensation that many were hoping he’d be in this test series so far.

In fact, on day three of the exchange, the 22-year-old was bowled out, having made just 5 runs in partnership with Jonathan Trott, who fared even worse with no runs.

However, it’s Root’s form coming into this encounter that leads you to believe things are going to improve for the youngster.

Prior to Wednesday’s opening bout, Root was averaging over 40 per test outing, a number far superior to what you’d expect from one so young.

Therefore, one would think that the main problem for England’s wunderkind is the simple task of doing away with any nerves and standing up to the scrutiny of the Australian bowlers; easier said than done.

One suggestion that would appear to make sense is that Root be moved down the order instead of batting so close to the front.

A certain gap exists at six, a middle order position the youngster might do well in, as opposed to the below-par form shown by Jonny Bairstow.

With time certainly on his side, it would seem merely a question of when, and not if, Root lives up to expectations.

A Changing of the Guard

Touched upon in the last point, tinkering with the order is a natural part of any series such as this and is something Andy Flower and Darren Lehmann, as well as the two nations’ captains, will be looking into over the coming days.

For England, a change in the batting order looks likely. So far, the hosts have had to settle for grinding out the runs in terribly tense fashion, but they may look to expand more in the early stages with a shift in personnel at that end of things.

As well as that, a change in faces might be in order. Jonny Bairstow failing to live up to the expectations placed upon him following his 2012 exploits against South Africa may warrant his omission in time for the second test.

In what was a very well publicised exclusion, Nick Compton would be the man whom many would suppose to be the replacement for Bairstow should the Batsman drop out of matters.

Slow and Steady Wins the Race

As is only natural in such a massive event as this, things have been tense for both England and Australia in this first test.

Each has aghast to the idea of surrendering points as the other early on—any points England have managed to come by have been very hard-fought, with the same being said for the Southern Hemisphere side.

As the series wars on, however, it’s just as natural to predict matters opening up, as both teams look to find that all-important edge over their opponent.

With that being the case, it’s the captainship of Alastair Cook and Michael Clarke that will prove absolutely essential—encouraging their troops not to become frustrated when things would appear to go against them, making the right decisions on appeal and directing fielders where needed at the correct times.

All of the above will play their hand in whether it’s the English or Australian’s leader who comes out on top, with a long, long battle still set to unfold in the coming weeks.