Just one day remains in 2010 Ashes' opener
The 133-year-old battle is set to start tomorrow as one side looking in disarray hopes to find back its form whereas the other in perfect form is all set to dominate the series with a win upfront. In the past, it was England, struggling with form and injuries,
but this time it is the hosts who face the same dilemma with the Ashes just around the corner.
The Australian skipper, Ricky Ponting’s men are coming from a sequence of three Test match losses, a result which has not been their attribute since 1988. It was the ground of Gabba, Brisbane where Australia lost the last Test match in the same year. If
England push around things and win this match to repeat the course of history, then it will become difficult for the Kangaroos to retain back the series. Afterwards, even if the series gets drawn, England will still keep a hold on the trophy and the pride
that they are defending.
England has already shown domination in the ground with a couple of wins in the warm up matches on the tour. That includes a massive performance with the bat and the ball against Australia A, and a draw. The batting display has been over-whelming for almost
every player in the squad, depicting the strong form that they are in. Everyone is holding on to their respective positions in deciding manner and this has also allowed the bowlers to land in Brisbane earlier to assess the conditions. It seems as if England
is confident to take the driver’s seat, allowing their bowlers to accustom themselves with the conditions of the first venue. If they get outclassed in the first match, then it will come as a major setback to the team.
The last time when Australia recorded a defeat in the Ashes at home was in 1986-87 when Ponting and Andrew Strauss were not even part of the team. In the light of the restructuring that Australia has gone through in their team and the form that the English
players are in, it poses the most vital chance for England to take away the series from the hosts. If however they do not respond in the next seven weeks, then it will take many years to defeat the cricketing giants. The Aussies are with a team that is the
weakest team ever to be played in the Ashes. Preparations seem to be below par for the Kangaroos unless they strike back with a surprising strength.
The Brisbane battle field is tailor made for a bowler like Mitchell Johnson. If he pitches the ball in the right areas, bounces and worries the English batsmen, then it is likely that the touring team will have problems in dominating. If however, the 2009
form is maintained, then the hosts will struggle against the strong and impervious batting line up of the English. The signs showed a slight hint of recovery when he bagged a five wicket haul for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Western-Australia-c865 along with a century for the same team. But
the stakes are high now and the real game is set to begin tomorrow.
Stuart Broad is another player to look out for. He had the power last time to turn the momentum of Ashes in favour of his team. He is quite capable to repeat history this time as well. His deadly bowling length and the swinging deliveries can well force
the batsmen to take a back foot stance. Young fast bowler’s father was responsible to lift the urn in 1986-87 and if he can carry on with the tradition, then the family name will remain in the lime light for a reasonable time ahead.
Amidst of all this, tomorrow will be the day that will set the tone for the upcoming encounter in the series. 2010 Ashes holds much for both the sides in terms of who will bag the series this time to score domination. Let’s wait and watch.
Tags: