In 1986, Mike Gatting’s touring England team were famously described by The Independent journalist Martin Johnson as one that “can’t bat, can’t bowl, can’t field.” Although Johnson was known for his irreverent tone, the point he was making was a serious one based on England’s pre-Test performances in Australia. This team, led by Andrew Strauss, have vowed to prepare as never before, treating the lead up fixtures seriously. Strauss, Bell and Pietersen even ran the 5 miles back to the team hotel after the opening day against Australia A.
The Disastrous 2006 Ashes Tour
In 2006, England virtually had no preparation before being thrashed at the Gabba and losing the series 5-0. The team only had one first-class fixture before the First Test and their plans were further disrupted by key injuries to 2005 Ashes winning skipper Michael Vaughan and Simon Jones while Marcus Trescothick departed Australia within days after suffering a recurrence of a stress-related illness. With Andrew Flintoff struggling to manage a fractured team, Australia hot on revenge and almost unbeatable at home, the Poms were crushed.
England Beat Australia at Home Twice in a Row
England have beaten Australia in England on the last two occasions, in 2005 and 2009. The aura and dominance that Australian cricket had shown in the previous 15 years has slowly ebbed away in the last five, mainly due to the retirements of a number of star players such as Shane Warne. Warne himself says:"Before a ball is bowled it is probably the best chance in 20 years that England have got of winning the Ashes. I think Australia will win, but it’s the best chance before a ball is bowled."
England's Bowlers Inexperienced in Australian Conditions
Brisbane is a traditional fortress for Australia and has been the death knell for many recent England Ashes campaigns. Much will depend on how the bowling attack responds. Only Jimmy Anderson has experience of Australian conditions and with no great success. Graeme Swann has performed on virtually every Test match he has played, but Australia are sure to attack him in an attempt to disrupt his status as a strike bowler. Likewise, Stuart Broad's fiery temper may be a target for the Australian camp.
However, it is clear England have a more varied and settled bowling attack. If Xavier Doherty plays, he will be the ninth spin bowler the Australians have tried since the retirement of Shane Warne in 2007. Mitchell Johnson's accuracy is questionable and Peter Siddle may bowl aggressively but has not achieved too many big wicket hauls.
There is no doubt that if Kevin Pietersen can rediscover his touch and England's top order can put totals of 400 on the board then they will fancy their chances of rolling over an Australian team that has lost its last three Tests. But winning in Australia is as tough as it gets.
