ENGLAND’S PREPARATIONS FOR THE ASHES 2010
The England-Australia Ashes Series 2010 is still 100 days away but the war of words between both these nations has already begun. Australian Skipper Ricky Ponting’s claim to white wash England in the upcoming series has forced English player Jonathan Trott to respond who called upon Ponting not to take undue pressure beforehand by boasting big claims as he may suffer job loss as a result.
Trott deserves the right to respond ferociously to Ponting as his remarkable performance in last year’s Ashes earned England a 2 -1 victory. Despite his debut, he had scored a century against Australia at the oval pitch. Trott in an interview did mention his debut against Australia and that it was his first test match which needed to be won but England’s dreams didn’t materialize.
In preparing for the Ashes, England has sought the consultancy of John Buchanan. This seems to be in response to the strategic meeting called upon by Cricket Australia with the Australian team management including Ponting. Buchanan, who would be assisting England’s Andy Flower and his team, has enormous experience of the Ashes and was the main contributory factor in Australia’s win over England during three Ashes series in the past. He also helped Australia in their 5-0 white wash against England during 2006/07. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Buchanan-c48808’s experience with Australia and his knowledge about its strengths and weaknesses would definitely benefit England. The England Cricket board has prepared a comprehensive strategy for the Ashes according to which the English team would play three warm up games before the series.
The England and Wales Cricket board chief executive David Collier declared the upcoming series a major event that would surely provide cricket lovers with the kind of cricket they want to see. Similar views were expressed by Australian cricket chief executive James Sutherland who however is confident of Australia’s victory at home ground.
While Australian team’s Ashes record at home is very good; the English team is also in season’s best form. Statistics reveal that it has always been difficult to beat Australia at their home ground. England has only four wins to its credit against Australia on the latter’s home turf and the former English players are already advising Skipper Andrew Strauss to adopt a winning strategy against all odds. Trevor Bailey, a former English player thinks good captaincy would be the main ingredient required if England has to emerge victorious. England’s another former winning captain of Ashes Ray Illingworth urged English team to play at least twenty percent more better at Australian home ground to compensate for home crowd. He suggested Strauss to have spinners in order to have control on the game.
It is being thought that this year’s Ashes would again be a game of mind and performance. Strauss must heed upon the former player’s advice so that http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 can be defeated on its own ground. This defeat would definitely earn him a good place in the English cricket history.
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