Yorked!!! – By Chetan Narula.
Prelude to the Ashes……
I have been watching cricket since 1991, and the only major achievement of the English cricket team all this while has been, well the Ashes series they won last year. So much so that many English dailies called it the biggest prize in world cricket, ironically overlooking the World Cup, a tournament they started and have never won. You might argue that they had an amazing run of “achievements” when they beat both Pakistan and Sri Lanka in their own dens, but almost the whole of Britain would agree that they were mere blotches.
So now let us get realistic as to how much chance do they have of taking back the prized urn. None if you are an Australian but luckily for the English, not every one in world cricket is. The romantic cricket fan would really love to see them give it back to the Aussies like they did last year, but then a realistic fan would grimace at the difference b/w the English side this time and the Ashes winner last year.
Much has changed since then. The Ashes winning side of last year had just come back from a successful tour of the Caribbean. The players were all fit, in-form and geared up for the battles ahead. Plus they had already stuck it up to the Aussies in the pre-test ODI series. This time though, it is different. Half the side has changed, due to injuries (Michael Vaughan, Simon Jones), poor form or breaking down due to excessive cricket (Trescothick). The three names I have mentioned here will be the most missed by the English fans as the tour goes on. Their absence means that Strauss, Pieterson, Flintoff and Harmison will have to be the beasts of burden and that puts additional pressure on Flintoff as captain.
But the major disadvantage this time will be the run in they have had before the tour down under. They were bruised and battered not only in India, but also humiliated at home against both Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Only their test performances at home would give them a splinter of hope. But the early form in the practice matches in Australia suggests that they are ready to be blown away both by the bat and the ball.
Much has changed in the Australian camp too, since then. Albeit only minor changes, but significant changes. The Aussies last year were all conquering and needed a jolt of some sort as many would argue that a bit of complacency was creeping in. Plus they had lost Mcgrath and the batsmen’s form mid-series and nobody stood up to support Warne’s efforts. This time though, it is different. All their players are in form thanks to good outings in both Kuala Lampur and the Champions trophy in India. The team is again a heady mix of youth and experience and the old guns, Mcgrath, Gilchrist and Warne are charged up because this might be their last chance at redemption. Add to that the revenge of Ponting’s bat, the zing of Symmonds, Clarke and Martyn, or the nip of Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson, and I bet if anybody would want to be a part of the touring English party.
The English team has arrived for the Ashes at a really horrible time given their resources, mental strength or form, or should I say the lack of them. The point is if they do consider the Ashes a greater prize than the World Cup itself, it would be really hard for them to give it up.
Prelude to the Ashes……
I have been watching cricket since 1991, and the only major achievement of the English cricket team all this while has been, well the Ashes series they won last year. So much so that many English dailies called it the biggest prize in world cricket, ironically overlooking the World Cup, a tournament they started and have never won. You might argue that they had an amazing run of “achievements” when they beat both Pakistan and Sri Lanka in their own dens, but almost the whole of Britain would agree that they were mere blotches.
So now let us get realistic as to how much chance do they have of taking back the prized urn. None if you are an Australian but luckily for the English, not every one in world cricket is. The romantic cricket fan would really love to see them give it back to the Aussies like they did last year, but then a realistic fan would grimace at the difference b/w the English side this time and the Ashes winner last year.
Much has changed since then. The Ashes winning side of last year had just come back from a successful tour of the Caribbean. The players were all fit, in-form and geared up for the battles ahead. Plus they had already stuck it up to the Aussies in the pre-test ODI series. This time though, it is different. Half the side has changed, due to injuries (Michael Vaughan, Simon Jones), poor form or breaking down due to excessive cricket (Trescothick). The three names I have mentioned here will be the most missed by the English fans as the tour goes on. Their absence means that Strauss, Pieterson, Flintoff and Harmison will have to be the beasts of burden and that puts additional pressure on Flintoff as captain.
But the major disadvantage this time will be the run in they have had before the tour down under. They were bruised and battered not only in India, but also humiliated at home against both Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Only their test performances at home would give them a splinter of hope. But the early form in the practice matches in Australia suggests that they are ready to be blown away both by the bat and the ball.
Much has changed in the Australian camp too, since then. Albeit only minor changes, but significant changes. The Aussies last year were all conquering and needed a jolt of some sort as many would argue that a bit of complacency was creeping in. Plus they had lost Mcgrath and the batsmen’s form mid-series and nobody stood up to support Warne’s efforts. This time though, it is different. All their players are in form thanks to good outings in both Kuala Lampur and the Champions trophy in India. The team is again a heady mix of youth and experience and the old guns, Mcgrath, Gilchrist and Warne are charged up because this might be their last chance at redemption. Add to that the revenge of Ponting’s bat, the zing of Symmonds, Clarke and Martyn, or the nip of Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson, and I bet if anybody would want to be a part of the touring English party.
The English team has arrived for the Ashes at a really horrible time given their resources, mental strength or form, or should I say the lack of them. The point is if they do consider the Ashes a greater prize than the World Cup itself, it would be really hard for them to give it up.
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