If you can identify the most important cog and mess up the way it moves and operates, you will force the other team to adapt their plans and their performance.

One example of this is the Australians. The men from down-under always target the opposition captain on the other team. They single him out, and disrupt his influence on the team. As the 2015 Ashes approach, the obvious next question is this,

Should England be targeting Michael Clarke?

Of course!

The aim will be to get the ball into Clarke's armpit early on with a short leg and leg slip or leg gully. If he feels threatened upstairs his foot movement to fuller balls is compromised. He is vulnerable to an edge to slip or to a ball coming back through the gate.

It's a great example of a specific tactic. Clarke is a big cog in the Aussie machine. He's also not the most important cog. There is another name on the 2015 team sheet that needs closer attention.

Nathan Lyon.

Lyon is a top bowler. He can take overs off of his fast bowlers and does the same role as Ashley Giles did for England in the magical 2005 series. He does it better. Lyon allows Clarke to rotate his quicks throughout a days play.

Australia will play 2 left arm fast bowlers so the rough outside the right hand off stump will help Lyon as the game progresses. Also, Lyon has mastered bowling around the wicket to both lefties and right handers. So it's vital that England take on Lyon and don't let him settle into spells. They need to take Lyon down as early as they can in each Test match. They need to smash his confidence and to force Johnson, Harris and Starc into longer spells early in the series.

Johnson is less of a bowler when he is forced to bowl six or more overs. He is a different proposition (especially in England) to the menace that we saw in short stints during the last Ashes.

Harris is injury prone.. If Harris plays at Cardiff then England need him to bowl overs at times of the day that limit his recovery, that make the physio earn his money and force Australia to make a selection change in the series. England could force Harris out as soon as the 3rd Test match.

The knock-on effect

If you take Lyon down, it will also force Australia to make a change in personnel and balance.

The only other way that Clarke can rotate his quicks is to bowl a fourth seamer. This will mean that either that Shane Watson will have to bowl lots of overs (he is a very grumpy bowler who would rather stand at slip) or Australia will be forced to bring in an all rounder who is happier to bowl. Their only other option is Mitchell Marsh.

Marsh is a decent cricketer, but Clarke will want Watson in the side ahead of him. More importantly, England will want Watson out of the side.

Lyon will play 5 tests (barring injury) as left arm seam is going to be used by two or three bowlers this Ashes (England's Mark Footitt is likely to make his debut). Lyon will utilise the footmarks on both sides of the pitch if England allow him.

Be brave England!

Use your feet.

Hit him long and straight.

Sweep him, both sides of the wicket.

Lyon often bowls around the wicket which does brings in LBW into play against all batters. He won't mind England sweeping him but I would definitely be exploring the best sweep and reverse options within the team.

Go for it England!

Force Michael Clarke into defending both square boundaries, as well as the straight one.

It does sound a bit kamikaze. But if England allow Lyon bowl and bowl then it could be a very "canary yellow" summer.

What lessons can you take from this tactical approach?