Australia prepares as England arrives in Brisbane for the Ashes opening match
Australians are clenching their teeth with anticipation on the eve of the Ashes opening match at the Gabba on Thursday, with Australian team captain Ricky Ponting talking tough after Michael Clarke’s return to the Test. England’s captain Andrew Strauss remains
hopeful for a win.
In his typical aggressive style, Ponting plans to lead the match from the front, "I made sure it hurt them as much as possible when the Ashes were handed over to Andrew Strauss at The Oval," he told reporters.
Ponting says that the driving force behind http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746’s motivation to win is payback for two unsuccessful Ashes seasons, "There is no doubt that that's been driving us—that empty feeling after walking off the pitch after two unsuccessful Ashes series."
Ponting kicked off his last two Ashes series with a century in the first innings and averages 66 at the Gabba. He said nothing of any concerns he may have over introducing Xavier Doherty to the Ashes opener with 84 first-class wickets under his belt, or
over Clarke’s recurring back problem, which almost prevented him from participating in the Thursday match.
England captain Andrew Strauss comes at the match from a different angle. Strauss says that his team are optimistic, but stressed the need to stay focused on the task at hand, beating Australia in the opening match at the Gabba in Brisbane.
“We couldn't be better placed mentally to take on that challenge. I'm fully confident that we've got the players to do that - we thrive on the idea that we could pull off something pretty special," he said.
Should England win the Test, it would be the first time on Australian soil in 24 years. Australia has won the majority of Tests played on their home turf, and Strauss hopes to change that.
"The prospect of turning that record around excites us," he said.
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