Former pacer Darren Gough sees stars aligned in England’s favour for Ashes
The pre-Ashes war of words just seems to have no end; the latest crusader is none other than former English pacer http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Darren-Gough-c52450. The swing bowler has played against Australia and knows the challenge. But he believes that this is
probably the first time in nearly more than two decades that his side has the upper hand against the Australians.
Gough feels that the England squad have the advantage over Australia because of their solid bowling line-up, and that if they don’t manage to defeat the Aussies, they might then have to wait another decade for a chance to snatch
a victory on Australian soil.
The former pacer said, “I think we will win 3-1 and the good thing is you have got seven bowlers who could all play in the Test matches. In my day you probably had two guys who were definites (to play) and that was it. Now you
have got seven who could play and they won’t let the team down.”
Gough says that the bowlers will be the main difference between the two sides, and as of now the English bowlers look a lot better than their opponents. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 no longer have star bowlers such as Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne
to depend on, and the current new crop of Australian bowlers is not yet considered anywhere nearly as threatening as previous line-ups. It is this factor that Gough believes might cost Australia the Ashes this year. Gough is confident that if England can see
off the new-ball spells, then it will be easy for them to dominate and score big runs against the Aussies.
There isn’t much difference between the batting line-ups of the two rivals. They have both got experience as well as youth in their ranks, but it is the bowling where the difference is quiet obvious. Gough feels that England is
clearly superior in the swing and spin department this time and that, luckily for England, all their main bowlers are in top notch form. England will need to rely on their bowlers to get the Australians out on quick surfaces as soon as possible, because if
the Aussie batsmen get their eye in the middle, then it will be very difficult to stop them from posting huge totals on the board.
Praising the English bowling wagon, Gough said, “I think England have got good reverse swing bowlers in Stuart Broad, James Anderson and, if required, Tim Bresnan. It will be interesting to see if we do go for Bresnan and play
an extra bowler in Brisbane. I doubt we will do in the first Test. We will be a little bit cautious. But, if we ever go down in the series, we will have to play five bowlers and Bresnan will come in.”
Another bowler who shouldn’t be ruled out is the English spinner Graeme Swann. The Australians may not seem to be too worried about the English spinner, but the fact remains that Swann is a character who can get the Australian
team out very fast and very cheaply. Whether England wins or loses, one can safely expect that Swann will pile up wickets either way.
However, one can never write off the Australians and their never-give-up spirit. They will keep fighting till the last ball is bowled, and that will make this series all the more exciting to watch.
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