Strauss, with his military, arrives in Australia
Finally the English players have reached Australia for a much waited and hyped Ashes series with the visiting skipper Andrew Strauss taking a cautious approach to the Australians.
The cautious skipper opined that England would not be targeting Australian player, including struggling Ricky Ponting, when the series gets underway in Gabba Brisbane from 25th of November. England holds the Ashes after winning
last year’s event at home by 2-1.
"I don't know what his (Ricky Ponting’s) state of mind is but one thing I do know is we're not in the business of targeting opposition players," said Strauss after reaching Australia on Saturday. "My past experience is that if you say too
much about opposition teams, it can come back and haunt you."
He said that they are expecting http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 to be very strong as the hosts hold a very good record Ashes at home. “When you're out here, you can't afford any passengers in your side, so you need all 11 to be performing and standing up at the
right time."
The comments from Strauss after his feet touched Australian soil were in contrast to the ones he made before leaving England.
“Until that final Test is over there's no point being too hunky-dory or friendly with the opposition. Our task is to go out there and try to beat them." Strauss said in London.
On his arrival in Australia, Strauss said that his side was mentally and physical ready for the heat of Ashes.
"I said in London there's a relaxed excitement about the group," he said. "Now that we've touched down and are on Australian soil, everything's a bit more at the forefront of our minds about what lies ahead of us, what massive opportunities
there are and also how determined we are to come out here and play well."
England has not taken Ashes in Australia since 1986-87. So far England has won just three of its last twenty six Ashes tests played on Australian soil. Although Australia has slipped one spot below the Ashes rivals in the ICC test rankings after losing Test
series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 by 2-0 but their Ashes stats here at Down Under would be enough to put the tourists under pressure.
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