Highlander999
ICC President
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2006
- Location
- London
English cricket is in a good place at the moment. Both in test's and ODI's the England team has experienced a lot of success, plus the fact that they are the defending World 20/20 Champions. Despite all the recent controversy after the Pakistan series, the England team were able to walk away with their heads held high after putting out a good performance both on and off the pitch. Now however, it is England's biggest test which comes around every few years. The Ashes...!!!
Up until to 2005 the Ashes had been a bit of a joke for England, with the likes of Warne, McGrath, Gilchrist, Langer and Hayden walking all over mediocre English sides. However Vaughan's triumphant victory re-kindled English passion in regaining this little Urn. Yes, there was the hiccup of the disastrous 06/07 tour to Australia in which England were humiliated 5-0 but England once again showed their new found spirit last summer winning the Urn back in a tightly fought 2-1 series victory. Now England have learnt from their lessons in the past and have arrived in Australia a lot more mature and better prepared for the challenge that awaits them. Yes, the team that Ponting puts out has none of the fire-power of the team that humilated England last time they were in Australia, but to under-estimate Australia at all, is done at great peril to yourself.
Since arriving in Australia, England have thrashed Western Australia by 6 wickets and put up a very good show in a drawn match against South Australia. All the batsman have been in the runs, with Cook and Collingwood the two men in the spotlight getting some good time out in the middle under their belts. The likes of Bell and Strauss have also impressed greatly so far on this tour and the England set-up is looking well rounded and a very well oiled machine.
England impressed greatly in their first 2 matches
However, it is all well and fine beating state sides in matches which have very little bearing on the outcome of the tour it is a completely different thing beating the 11 best Australians in front of tens of thousands passionate fans. Can England finally shake off the Australia curse and retain the Urn or will Ponting have his revenge in what is most likely to be his last Ashes series? Only time will tell. Coming up we will be looking at the two squads and seeing who the key men are. Stay tuned!
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