- Australia Completed a 5 nil Whitewash in 2006/07 - Jasrocks
The oldest and greatest rivalry in Sport will reconvene in under 3 months when Captains Ricky Ponting and Andrew Strauss walk out for the coin toss at the GABBA, on the 25th November. When the coin lands the latest installment of Ashes history will begin with the two sides fighting tooth and nail for that small urn which they each hold so dear.
Australia will be looking to regain the Ashes which were lost at the Oval on 23rd August last year giving Ricky Ponting the unenviable record of having lost the Ashes twice as a Captain, a rare feat. England on the other hand will be attempting to retain the Ashes and to win in Australia for the first time since Mike Gatting captained the successful tour of 1985/86 in which they achieved both of these aims. It’s fair to say that England’s record in Australia since the era of Botham, Lamb and Gower has been poor, culminating in the 5 nil whitewash of 2006.
Ponting suggests whitewash scoreline can be achieved
Five nil is a score line that haunts even the most hardened English supporter and Ricky Ponting has suggested that Australia could provide a repeat performance this summer. When asked if his side could claim a 5 nil victory Ponting responded ‘"There are five games to play, so anything is possible," he continued “If we play our best cricket for every minute of every Test match, then there is a possibility we could do that”. Although Ponting has since denied that he was suggesting a whitewash it is clear that Ponting is determined to avenge his second Ashes defeat. The comments have not gone unnoticed by the English media who have compared Ponting comments to those of Glenn McGrath who would regularly predict a 5 nil score line.
Andrew Strauss reacted to the comments on the eve of his side's Oval test match against Pakistan. "This is the start of the silly season, I suppose," Strauss said. "All I can say from our point of view is that we are excited about our challenge against Australia and we think we can do pretty well out there. Predictions ultimately mean nothing."
England will feel that this series represents their best chance in years of winning down under with Australia still rebuilding after the retirements of Warne, Mcgrath, Langer, Hayden and Gilchrist. England have had an excellent year following the Ashes triumph, with two series wins over Bangladesh, a drawn series in South Africa and a controversial 3-1 win over Pakistan. They have also experienced success in the shorter forms of the game winning the T20 world cup defeating Australia in the final and also winning their recent ODI series 3-2.
Warne impressed by England and Swann
Aussie Leg spin legend Shane Warne believes that England have the edge going into the 5 match series. "It's been a long time since they had the edge on us in all forms of the game," Warne told the BBC website on July 7th and he pinpointed off spinner Graham Swann as the key for England “he is the most improved cricketer, "His special ability is his quicker delivery - he spins it. That's rare for a spin bowler. Generally, the slower you bowl, the more you spin it.”
Australia will still remain confident in their own conditions despite the English bowling attack receiving a great deal of recent praise in both hemispheres. Pakistan Captain Salman Butt speaking prior to spot fixing allegations in the News of the World stated England may struggle in Australian conditions. ‘"If this is the English bowling they will find that hard in Australian conditions, England are best in their conditions but anywhere else you play I think Australia have the edge." Butt told the Guardian on 21st August.
Aussies to target young bowler FInn.
The ball has also been the focus of much debate with the Kookaburra ball used in Australia less likely to swing than the English Duke ball. The English attack have to show variety in unfamiliar conditions if they are to have a successful campaign. Aussie All-rounder Shane Watson has also stoked the fire by suggesting Australia will target England’s young quick bowler Steven Finn. Watson said "We can really try and make the most of his inexperience and also his inexperience of being out in Australia,". Finn has started his career impressively with 32 wickets in just 8 tests but Watson is determined to target the Middlesex man "I think he is someone that we can really try and put a lot of pressure on. If he bowls anywhere near a loose ball, I want to put it away."
Both sides have their strengths and weaknesses and with both keen to revenge recent sore defeats we should be in for a pulsating summer of cricket.
Since 1883 Australia and England have played 307 test matches with 122 wins for Australia 97 wins for England and 88 drawn matches. Stats from Cricinfo
Chris Hitchcock - Chris is a Lecturer and Journalist who is originally from England but is currently living in Sydney, Australia. Chris graduated with a Ba ...
