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| July 17, 2005 | Sunday | Jumadi-us-Sani 9, 1426 |
Aussies take guard for 9th straight series win
LONDON, July 16: The Australians want it known that they have their house in order after a ragged tour start and are on track for their ninth consecutive Ashes Test series victory over England.
Ricky Ponting’s team has recovered from a calamitous lead-up, humiliated by Asian minnows Bangladesh in a one-dayer followed by two losses to England before tying the triangular series Lord’s final after having England struggling at 33 for five.
Adam Gilchrist gave the Australians the perfect Ashes tonic with a rumbustious unbeaten 121 off 101 balls in the world champions’ eight-wicket victory for a 2-1 One-day International series win ahead of Thursday’s first Ashes Test.
Australia are the top-ranked Test nation, having lost only twice (both to India) in their last 20 Tests, while England are second having also lost just two of their last 20 Tests and winners of their last five Test series.
“Part credit to England,” Australia coach John Buchanan said ahead of the Ashes series.
“But it’s more in our house to make sure that’s rectified. We could choose to make it a problem but I think the calibre of this side will choose to make it a challenge.
“I’m looking forward to the Tests. It’s now our time, our turn to deliver the goods.”
Ponting is looking more like a relieved man these days after his team’s wobbly tour start.
“A couple of weeks ago, even a couple of days ago, it didn’t look too bright for us,” Ponting said.
“But the pleasing thing is a lot of our individual players have lifted and got back into form when we needed them to.”
Buchanan observed: “The strength of our team has been we generally make consistently better decisions than the other teams. A little while back that’s probably was not the case. Certainly the signs are good for the Test series coming up.”
The opening month of the Ashes tour has been illuminating. England have confirmed on the field that they will be competitive and a couple of form swings have affected the Australians in different ways.—AFP
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