Australia throws down Ashes challenge to England
“Don’t forget to pack the urn,” was the message from the Australia cricket team to their old rivals as England prepare to fly down under to contest the Ashes.
And it was one the boys from Blighty weren’t going to miss either – with the faces of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120 projected along with those words on the tower of Big Ben in London.
It’s a none-too-subtle reminder that when the England squad touches down on Australian soil they are stepping onto hostile territory. Territory on which, last time they visited, they found themselves on the wrong end of a 5-0 whitewash.
And after overcoming the small matter of a misplaced passport, Graeme Swann is set to be among them.
“Are passports still absolutely required to travel overseas? If so then I fear today may be one of frantic searching,” the off-spinner with the uncanny knack for taking an early wicket posted on his Twitter account yesterday.
Six hours later, however, and the issue had been resolved: “My passport turned up in my 'safe' place, down the back of the kitchen bin. Thanks to all at the home office for your offer of help,” tweeted Swannyg66.
While Ponting and Clarke have thrown down the gauntlet for what is for any Australia or England player the ultimate contest in cricket, the hosts will know things won’t be so easy this time around.
In 2006/07, Australia boasted a squad that included the likes of once in a generation players like Shane Warne and Glen McGrath, and the batting firepower of opener Matthew Hayden and wicketkeeper-batsman http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Adam-Gilchrist-c918.
Their replacements don’t strike the same fear into their now much more stable opposition, but do have plenty to prove as once again they seek to reclaim the Ashes after surrendering them on British soil.
Not that there was ever any doubt, but it’s a challenge Australia is ready and waiting for.
Now it’s just a matter of whether or not they can get the job done.
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