Two days to go before the most awaited and hyped series in recent times commences. Even Glenn Mcgrath, the king of opposition belittling has shown a soft and wary side to him. First he paid Harmison a compliment and then just about admitted that Pieterson's first class record indicated that he might be ready for the step up. Of course, mean ol' thing that he is, he promised a rough welcome to all the Ashes debutants while planning his 500th Test wicket.
And finally the two captains, who not only need to get it right on the field but desperately need a good series with the bat as they are vital cogs at number 3. Both Vaughan and Ponting have shown themselves to be decent leaders, but this will be the iron test which could decide the future of their captaincy.
For the first time since the India series, the Aussies are playing with a point to prove. Mcgrath wants his 500 and show the world that he still has the legs to last until the 2007 world cup. Warne wants to put his personal afflictions on the back burner and go past 600. Lee is coming in after 18 months. Kasper and Gillespie want to put their horrendous one-day maulings behind them. Michael Clarke has hardly scored a run and has Katich and Hussey breathing down his back. Hayden and Ponting want to get back among the top tier of batsmen in the world. And add to that the fact that this might be the last Ashes for a number of them...it's been a long time since we saw so many Aussies having a personal worry or two. And that's where opinion gets divided. While this gives England their best chance in years, it also makes this Aussie team hungrier than ever.
Off all things Ashes, I am interested in watching how the careers of Gillespie, Kasprowicz and Giles change after this. Dizzy and Kasper are pretty much consigned to fighting for the third seamer's spot for a while unless Lee does something horribly wrong or Mcgrath gets injured/decides to retire. Giles is holding on to his spot on the strength of his improved batting and lack of spinning options for the hosts. He did have a phenomenal 2004 capped by his being named Wisden Cricketer of the Year. But a bad series with bat and ball will definitely bring out the old critics calling for his neck.
And finally the two captains, who not only need to get it right on the field but desperately need a good series with the bat as they are vital cogs at number 3. Both Vaughan and Ponting have shown themselves to be decent leaders, but this will be the iron test which could decide the future of their captaincy. So my take on this, if Australia win comfortably at Lords, the Ashes is over. If England win, series on! Final score, Aussies win 3-1, with one test being washed out ;-). Enough with the previews, let's get on with the show.
7 comments:
you're probably right about the hunger thing. As far as McGrath goes, he did append his compliment for Harmy by saying that he had peaked too early and was looking out of sorts. I think he is probbaly hoping more to put pressure on Harmison than compliment him....!
Boy! You don't give this England team much credit, do you? But I think you have a point. If the Aussies do get home comfortably at the Lords test, then its going to be tough for England to stem the tide. And that will be a huge disappointment. I hope this is a close series for England's sake. This will atleast give us Poms and the Barmy army some hope for future editions :-).
england haven't beaten aus in lords for 80 years, so its bound to change, right? The weather is too aussie like for england to do well.
Ashwin,
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Thanks,
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