
Battle of two fiercest rivals begins today
Australia, England all set for one of the biggest competitions in cricket - the Ashes
Mohammed Rumman Khan | NT
Joe Root has pledged to set the record straight in Australia and score the runs required to set up England’s first overseas Ashes win since the 2010-11 triumph under Andrew Strauss.
Before the first Test starting on Wednesday at the Gabba, a match that Jimmy Anderson is unlikely to play due to caution over his fitness and sees England without their usual levels of support in the stands, the captain stressed that recent form in these parts meant the only way was up.
The 30-year-old has failed to reach three figures on his two previous away Ashes tours, averaging 38 in the crushing 5-0 and 4-0 defeats. But Root is emboldened by a golden 2021 that has returned six of his 23 Test hundreds and noted Australia have not played a Test since a 2-1 home defeat against India in January.
Though under a new captain in Pat Cummins, Australia remain odds-on favourites to claim a third successive series win on home soil. This reflects a batting lineup with fewer weak links and a bowling attack unchanged from four years ago when a collective relentlessness transcended the moribund pitches.This time England’s bowlers are hopeful of greater assistance from a revamped Kookaburra ball that aided India’s success 12 months ago – a campaign Root has studied meticulously – as well as greener pitches during what promises to be a cooler, damper summer than usual in the eastern states.
Even so, Anderson is to be held back until the second Test where the swing under floodlights should encourage the 39-year-old further. Elsewhere there is a final call to be made between Jonny Bairstow and Ollie Pope at No 6 to be made by Root and the head coach, Chris Silverwood given the return of Ben Stokes to the middle order.
Why is it called The Ashes?
- The story of the Ashes began way back in 1882 when England were beaten at home at the Oval for the fi rst time by Australia.
- The series defeat shocked the sporting world at the time and prompted The Sporting Times newspaper to print a joke story on the ‘death of English cricket’.
- The newspaper said English cricket would be burnt down and the ashes sent to Australia.
- When England next toured Australia those ashes became real - a pair of bails were burned and the ashes put into the now famous urn.
- The winning players are given a replica to celebrate with, as the real trophy is far too fragile.
- Over 100 years later, the original urn lives in the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) museum at Lord’s cricket ground in London.
Who will win the Ashes?
- Australia are the current holders of the Ashes.
- They retained the Ashes after the 2019 series ended in a draw. It was the fi rst time since 1972 that an Ashes series ended in a draw.
- However, because Australia won the 2017 series they held onto the urn. (To get the Ashes, you have to actually win it.)
- Overall, Australia have won 33 series and England has won 32, and six series have been drawn. So, this Ashes is a particularly important one!
- England haven’t won at the Gabba since 1986, but Australia’s 33-year undefeated run on that ground ended in January when they lost to India. So anything is possible!