The Ashes Series 2010-2011, Ponting confident
Australia and England have been competing for The Ashes since 1882. Their old rivalry always makes for an enthralling series for Cricket lovers, both teams fight hard for the series. England holds the Ashes and hopes to keep them after this year’s series in Australia.
Current Australian Captain, Ricky Ponting seems confident his team will reclaim the Ashes. In a recent interview with the media Ricky focused on the preparation of the team and asserted that the team with better preparation would win the series. Australian spectators and cricket fans expect their team to reclaim the series and seek revenge for the last defeat. Notwithstanding the brilliant performance by England, the professional creativity of Australian team cannot be ignored. Although, Andrew Strauss and his teammates at a high level of form, the Australian side depicts an equal qualification.
However, Ricky Ponting hopes to white-wash England in the series 5-0. Ponting, who lost the Ashes series 2-1 last year, was confident about the ability of his team to learn from past mistakes. Although, the recent test draw by Australian team against sixth ranked Pakistan doesn’t augur well, high Australian ambitions may prove a fruitful. Ricky Ponting and Cricket Australia have finalized their strategy for the November-January Ashes series in a meeting at Melbourne.
The Test series prior to the Ashes, against India would facilitate Australians in achieving better preparations for the series. Despite the different conditions in India, the Indian series provides an opportunity to Ricky Ponting and his team for improving their form against formidable England. While the analysis of Ricky Ponting’s performance since the Ashes last year reveals unhealthy statistics. His career average dropped to 40.05 runs from 55.22 that also include his lucky escapes against Pakistan. He was dropped on zero by Pakistan and went on to score 209 in Hobart. Similarly fortune favoured him again when a clear Lbw was not awarded by the umpire at Leeds against the same nation. Had these two innings been scoreless, his average would have further been dropped to 23.88.
Ponting has high expectations from his off spinner Nathan Hauritz, who has just ended his foot injury. Ponting plans to play him in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 and Pakistan. He may be supported by another spinner Steve Smith, who made his debut against Pakistan clinching 3 wickets for 82. Steve also has an edge as a hard hitting batsman. Australia is expected to include Marcus North, the No 6 Batsman, who is out of form presently. His average dropped to 37 after his dismal performance against Pakistan. The war strategy prepared by Australian got a shock when express quick bowler Shaun Taut refused to play in the test series against England. His recent performance in the three one days impressed Ricky Ponting to the extent of offering him a place in the test team. However, Shaun taut did not seem to be eager for playing in the longer format of cricket and outright refused to join the team for the Ashes.
On the other hand, Andrew Strauss and his team have the psychological edge with a brilliant season and last year’s win against Australia. With the T20 Championship and sweeping wins against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 in recent tests, England has transformed itself into a formidable team. Gone are the days when Australians had the lethal players such as, Steve Waugh and Shane Warne that made them an invincible team.
The Ashes series in Australia would be worth witnessing with both teams expecting to win. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 is still reeling from previous defeats at the Ashes, losing by 115 runs at Lords and at the Oval by 197 runs. England is ranked at fifth in the ICC ranking and is expected to give a tough fight to the highly ambitious Australian side.
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