BRING ON THE ASHES

Cricket’s greatest and best-loved rivalry once again takes centre stage this summer.

It is the series that really needs no introduction, drawing as it does upon a history some 127 years in the making. Australia are once again back in town, flushed with success from having beaten South Africa in their own backyard and buoyed by the memory of their brutal 5-0 triumph over England during the 2006/07 series.

But England are on the upswing, and have fond memories of their own to draw upon. The glorious events of the 2005 series, the last time this contest took place upon these shores, have already gone down in history as the greatest series the game has ever known, and the level of anticipation surrounding the series has rapidly reached fever pitch, with the paying public growing anxious to once again see Andrew Flintoff, Andrew Strauss and Kevin Pietersen defy the mighty Baggy Green.

Both sides have changed dramatically since their 2005 heyday. England’s injury problems are well documented, but Australia have had to endure a succession of outstanding cricketers stepping down from the limelight, amongst them Shane Warne, the greatest spinner to have ever played the game, Glenn McGrath, the best
seam bowler to have represented Australia since Dennis Lillee, and Adam Gilchrist, a man who redefined the role of wicketkeeper for the modern era. Throw in the loss of Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer, one of the most belligerent opening partnerships cricket has ever known, the mercurial batsmanship of Damien Martyn and the resourceful bowling of Jason Gillespie and Michael Kasprowicz and you can understand why many pundits have suggested that Australia will never again regain the heights they attained around the turn of the millennium. Chastening series defeats at the hands of India and South Africa have served only to add further fuel to the fire.

But the strength-in-depth of the Australian game has meant that there is no shortage of others to take up the running, and soon enough the side has reclaimed that priceless aura of potency. Mitchell Johnson has emerged to become one of the great fast bowlers in world cricket, whilst Peter Siddle has added some crucial venom to the attack. And then there is the phenomenon of Phil Hughes, the 20-year-old southpaw opener with the lightening quick hands who carves everything through the off-side. This Australia side might lack for a great spinner – following in the footsteps of Warne is no easy task – but they will not lack for pace, runs or aggression.

But it is remarkable when you compare the two teams just how well England, invigorated by their performances against the West Indies, stack up against their rivals. Both teams boast potent seam bowlers, deep batting line-ups and excellent fielding but England, in their home conditions and with their own crowds roaring them on, will back themselves to the hilt.

And thus the stage is set for a truly memorable encounter, one that will be played out across five Test matches, two T20Is and a mammoth seven ODIs. It promises to be a contest that highlights all that is great about top-level cricket: character, rivalry and sportsmanship. You would be well advised not to miss a second of it.

THE AUSTRALIA SQUAD

The cricketers charged with defending the honour of the Baggy Green.

Ricky Ponting – Captain, RHB, RM

ricky-ponting

An outstanding batsman and a respected, if not necessarily natural, captain. Normally absolutely devastating when set, Ponting has recently acquired a reputation for throwing his wicket away when a big score is his for the taking, but little focuses an Australian’s mind like an Ashes series and it would be astonishing if he did not make at least two decisive scores this summer. A more assured leader than in 2005, his battle of wits with Strauss should prove fascinating.

Michael Clarke – Vice-captain, RHB, SLA

The heir apparent of Australian cricket, a stylish batsman and a useful left-arm spinner on his day, Clarke is the lynchpin of Australia’s middle-order. A long-standing back problem occasionally restricts his mobility and often impairs his bowling, which might be called upon more than Clarke would wish should Australia choose to go with an all-pace attack. A crucial factor this summer.

Stuart Clark – RHB, RFM

stuart-clark

Metronomic seamer who tormented England during the 2006/07 series, Clark has recently recovered from injury and will be eager to make up for lost time. Accurate and able to extract surprising lift, Clark will play the straight man to Australia’s more hostile fast bowlers.

Brad Haddin – RHB, WK

Australia’s current number one stumper, Haddin is an aggressive strokemaker and an effective, if not especially classical, keeper. Provides plenty of depth to the Australian batting line-up and a wealth of banter from behind the stumps.

Nathan Hauritz – RHB, OS

The only full-time spinner in the squad, Haurtiz is an accurate offspinner who varies his pace well, although he’s not as big a turner of a cricket ball as Graeme Swann or Monty Panesar. Considered by sections of the media to be a potential weak link in the Australian squad, Hauritz will be keen to prove his detractors wrong.

Ben Hilfenhaus – RHB, RFM

ben-hilfenhaus

A rugged Tasmanian swing-bowler, Hilfenhaus will likely start the series slightly down the pecking order, but his time will come eventually. Bowls at a lively pace and possesses a useful off-cutter, but his greatest asset is his remarkable stamina. One for the future.

Phillip Hughes – LHB, OS

The bright young thing of Australian cricket. Scored almost 900 runs for Middlesex during his brief county stint earlier this season, at a frightening strike-rate to boot, and possesses all the shots. His unusual technique and willingness to take on the bowler will be one of the highlights of the series.

Michael Hussey – LHB, RM

Distinctly out of form, but a phenomenal record and an unfl appable temperament ensures he is still one of the key wickets this series. Has an aptitude for scoring big centuries, so England must pick him up early.

Mitchell Johnson – LHB, LF

Mitchell-Johnson

A player of frightening potential. Fast, hostile, athletic and capable of smashing quick runs down the order, Johnson has matured into the leader of Australia’s attack during Lee’s injury-enforced absence. Comfortably the world’s best left-arm seamer since Pakistan’s Wasim Akram.

Simon Katich – LHB, SLC

A fiery character who struggled during the 2005 series, but Katich has since been reborn as a doughty opener and has been one of the bedrocks of Australia’s batting line-up in recent times. Not an attractive player to watch, but very effective. Also a potent, if reluctant, wristspinner who will probably get through a few overs this series.

Brett Lee – RHB, RF

brett-lee

Australia’s most experienced bowler, Lee has a point to prove having recently returned from injury and having never yet produced his best with the ball
in England. Wickedly quick in his pomp, it remains to be seen if his battered ankle will stand up to the rigours of Test cricket. A wholehearted character who won over the English public thanks to his heroics with the bat during 2005.

Andrew McDonald – RHB, RM

Arguably the most controversial member of Australia’s squad, McDonald is a miserly medium-pacer and a doughty lower-order batsman. Many expected him to lose out to Andrew Symonds when the squad was announced, but the Australian selectors have obviously seen something that they feel will help the team in English conditions.

Graham Manou – RHB, WK

Australia’s reserve keeper and a reliable batsman, but unlikely to get much of a look in on this tour unless injury befalls Haddin. Renowned for his strong work ethic and slick glovework.

Marcus North – LHB, OS

A stylish middle-order batsman who has honed his technique for years in domestic cricket and is especially strong square of the wicket, North could well play an important role in this series as his miserly off-breaks could feature heavily if Australia elect to go with four frontline pacers.

Peter Siddle – RHB, RFM

One of Australia’s big fi nds of recent years, this aggressive Victorian has impressed many with his pace and commitment since breaking into the Test team. A throwback to the days when fast bowlers were truly vicious.

Shane Watson – RHB, RFM

shane-watson

Potentially the crucial member of Australia’s squad, Watson is a true all-rounder, able to bat anywhere in the top six and able to offer effective seam bowling support. If he can remain fit, not the easiest of tasks given his track record, he would afford Ponting a wealth of options.

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