By Sreelata S. Yellamrazu
Michael Clarke’s back is playing up enough to keep everyone guessing on his inclusion or otherwise. But for a change, it is Australia that has to overcome their own fragile back problems if they are to ensure that England do not get off to an adrenaline packed start in the Ashes 2010 down under.
The Australian vice captain has been in the centre of the attention because there is a lot riding on his inclusion. Ricky Ponting, the Australian captain, will be feeling like the proposition is a double edged sword. A third Ashes defeat for him, the second Australian captain to lose two Ashes, and it could be curtains for his captaincy. And Clarke’s batting, particularly when Clarke seems to be bringing out his best in the Test cricket format, could go a long way in ensuring that Australia stay on top on this one. But on the other hand, Clarke in the limelight with the bat, and Ponting out of his element, could equally merit a change of guard. Suffice it to say, Ponting could live with the latter than add to the former dubious reputation.
As much as talk of Australia going 5-0 in the series can be played up in Australia, it is hard to see England going home on such a severe score line as they did the last time because something would have to drastically go wrong in the otherwise relatively settled England team to induce such a result.
Andrew Strauss is certainly the England captain looking forward to the series with anticipation while Ponting will be quietly dreading the prospect. Desperate to change the scenario from the Ashes 2009 where Ponting suffered the ignominy for a second time, there is not a lot of star power for Ponting to rely on. The best he can do is instill some of that fierce competitiveness of the preceding team to produce a miraculous performance from his team.
Having said that, it will not mean that Australia will be a walk over. England will have to earn the Ashes urn, much like they did in 2009. What works in their favour is the fact that the team has been building towards it steadily since that victory in England until the Ashes 2005 which was followed up by a disastrous tour of Australia the following year as the England team wilted completely under injury spells, pressure and an uncomfortable captain in Andrew Flintoff.
It is hard to see this Ashes team of England crumble with the bowling settled in James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann, not to mention young Steven Finn. Australia have had their problems and judging by the team selection, Ponting had better pack an Aspirin if the combination of Steven Smith and Xavier Doherty sneaks up on him as Australia’s undoing.
Australia’s batting is under pressure with Simon Katich returning from injury, Michael Hussey batting under perhaps the greatest pressure of his international career and Shane Watson having to take on the mantle of setting Australia’s tone on himself. Brad Haddin’s wicket keeping will also be watched closely after coming back from long injury lay offs.
Once the first Test gets underway in Brisbane on Thursday, all the strengths and weakness on paper will go out of the window. In comes the X factor of players such as Kevin Pietersen and whether the big stage scenario will force them to dig deeper and develop blinkers from the shenanigans of mouth pieces doing their bit of the lip service. Expect another battle of attrition but the one standing tall last while dusting themselves off will walk away with the Ashes and it will be a pretty sight.
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