HAVING failed to regain the Ashes after the third Test at Old Trafford ended in a rain-marred draw, the Australians now aim hopelessly to win the remaining two matches to at least earn a draw in the series and prove their critics wrong who have already tagged the tourists as the worst batting side to tour England from Down Under.

There is a lot of truth in that and many experts believe it is highly unlikely that after losing the first two Tests at Trent Bridge and Lord’s — notwithstanding their fighting effort led from the front by Michael Clarke in the third Test at Old Trafford — the tourists will have the ability to uplift their sagging form with the bat. They were unlucky though to have lost the first Test by a close margin but at Lord’s when bowled out for 128 in the first innings the current Aussie batsmen had shown that they were vulnerable on English pitches.

Also, umpiring in the present series has not been at its best and eyebrows have been raised on the use of the much criticised Decision Review System (DRS) by the present panel of umpires conducting the series. There were glaring ‘howlers’ in all the three Tests which also did not help the tourists either.

And now that a certain section of the Australian media has made allegations that the English batsmen have been allegedly using silicone tapes on their bats to avoid HotSpot marks on their bats does not help and please them either.

It is not unusual though that losing teams and their media come out with such excuse in defence of their team. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has rejected the claims and the ICC has rushed their man to investigate.

Clarke’s men however are optimistic and hoping against hope, drumming a comeback in the series. This will be their first Ashes Test at Riverside Ground — the venue where previously they have played only ODIs and World Cup matches in 1999, respectively.

So far since 2003 when Zimbabwe played, only four Tests have been played at this scenic ground. Not forgetting the visit here of the Australians in 2005 when they were spooked by the spectre of the 14th century Lumley Castle ‘ghost’ where they had stayed for an ODI match. The castle overlooking the ground was converted into a 59-bedroom hotel in 1976 and has a reputation of being the most haunted places in the county.

In the middle of the night then some of the Australians had seen the apparition of a lady in white robe walking in the corridors and then suddenly disappearing. Which led fast bowler Michael Kasprowicz change his room and sleep on the floor of Brett Lee’s room. Several members of 2005 Australian team recounted the strong effect its reputation and setting had on them. Belinda Dennett, the Australian media officer, then had confirmed that.

The ghost in the castle is reported to be that of ‘Lily Lumley’ wife of Sir Ralph Lumley who founded the castle 600 years ago, who as the legend goes was thrown down the well in the castle grounds by two priests for rejecting the catholic faith. Her ghost is said to float up from the well and haunts the castle.

In 2000, the West Indians led by Jimmy Adams staying at the Castle claimed to have witnessed paranormal activity as well and checked out of the hotel because they were scared. Stories abound with the sighting of Monks in white robes parading in the hotel foreground in the darkness of the night.

Clarke’s men are not staying at the castle on this occasion realising fully well that they are neither the ghost-busters nor, in their present form, the ‘phoenix to rise from the ashes.’