Ashes first Test preview:
England ready for the Ashes, Australia defiant
The most celebrated series in cricket kicks off Thursday 25 November in Brisbane, Australia at the Gabba pitch, as England and Australia get set to renew their famous rivalry.
Cricket England coach Alastair Cook says that he is ready to take on the challenge of playing Australia on its home turf at the Ashes in Brisbane, while Australia batting coach Justin Langer says the match
will be relatively even.
With Australian vice-captain Michael Clarke only just recuperated from a back injury, some are doubtful as to whether or not he is in good enough form for the Ashes opening against England.
The England team has been using confidant language in regards to the upcoming match, and Cook made it clear that his team is ready for Clarke.
Clarke’s back injury, and subsequent return to the scene did not affect England’s strategy according to Cook, who reiterated that England is more focused on its own strategy than concerned over whether
or not Clarke played in the opener.
Having lost face to Australia the last time they played on its home turf, with a disastrous 5-0 whitewash for the hosts, England is eager to repair its image.
Cook is aware that the Australia mach is going to be intense, "Australia are a hugely competitive side every time they play - and with England coming in probably the biggest Test series there is, they
don't need any more motivation," he told reporters.
Cook said that he has high expectations of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746, and for that reason he doesn’t want his team to show up at Ashes unprepared, "They've got a great record here - they are going to be very proud of
that - and it's up to us to 'out-compete' them over the next two months."
Despite speculation that England has an advantage, Australia’s batting coach says it will be an equal match at Ashes. Langer says that the two teams are pretty much even, and he has done his best to assuage
fears that his team could be at a disadvantage if Clarke is unable to play.
Langer has had a difficult run since taking the job in November 2009 as his first 12 months as Captain. Veteran players, Michael Hussey and Marcus North have both experienced difficulty with their form
and now http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120 can be added to the list.
Nevertheless Langer insists that the two teams are on equal footing for the Ashes Test.
"This series is so even. If you look at the top seven batsmen in Australia, they've played more Test matches, they've made more Test match runs, they've got a better overall average, they've scored more
first-class hundreds," he told the press. "I think there's a lot of pressure on them to perform and a lot of eyes on them."
Australia's paceman, Mitchell Johnson said that he is optimistic that his teammate will recover in time for the Ashes debut match, "He's still got another two days to prove himself. But he said he felt
pretty good with what he did, so it's good signs for him and Australia,” he said.
"Not having Michael in the team would be a big loss, but he's been doing everything he can to get right."
Betting odds
Australia, with a better knowledge of the conditions on the trying Gabba pitch, are coming into the first Test as favourites. But England's form has looked very good in the past few months, and they've
given themselves some time to accustom themselves to the pitch. This could be anyone's game, but a bet on a draw could pay out pretty good money as both teams might look to play it safe.
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