The Ashes is one of the most keenly awaited and violently competitions in any sport let alone cricket. The England Cricket team and Australia have been fighting out on the cricket field since 1877 and the Ashes history is forceful, lasting and most of all exciting.
This latest series comes in the wake of a series whitewash for England in Australia in the 2006-7 series. Australia soundly beat England 5-0 completing only the fifth ever series whitewash. It was a terrible low ebb for England, who had gone to Australia full of confidence after their Ashes victory in England in 2005 Ashes series. See also 2005 Ashes series and the Ashes 2002/3 series
Today it can said with fairness that Australia are not quite the team they were 3 years ago. The series defeat in 2008 against India tinted that they have their fair share of problems in attack and have struggled after the retirements of Ashes legends, Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and wicket keeper, Adam Gilchrist. England therefore come into the game high on confidence, with a new captain in Andrew Strauss and with the full knowledge that they can match Australia in all aspects.
The Australian captain, Ricky Ponting and his Australian team that was named on May 20th, will arrive in England in June 2009. They will be here for three months and will play five Tests, five One Day internationals and one Twenty/20 fixture. They will also play several county teams. There will be 18 players in their squad. During the series the England players will spend the time together, foregoing any County commitments. The first Ashes test, for the first time will be played in Cardiff, with second test at Lords, the third Ashes test will be at Edgebaston, the fourth test at Headingley and the fifth and final test at the Oval.
This latest series comes in the wake of a series whitewash for England in Australia in the 2006-7 series. Australia soundly beat England 5-0 completing only the fifth ever series whitewash. It was a terrible low ebb for England, who had gone to Australia full of confidence after their Ashes victory in England in 2005 Ashes series. See also 2005 Ashes series and the Ashes 2002/3 series
Today it can said with fairness that Australia are not quite the team they were 3 years ago. The series defeat in 2008 against India tinted that they have their fair share of problems in attack and have struggled after the retirements of Ashes legends, Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and wicket keeper, Adam Gilchrist. England therefore come into the game high on confidence, with a new captain in Andrew Strauss and with the full knowledge that they can match Australia in all aspects.
The Australian captain, Ricky Ponting and his Australian team that was named on May 20th, will arrive in England in June 2009. They will be here for three months and will play five Tests, five One Day internationals and one Twenty/20 fixture. They will also play several county teams. There will be 18 players in their squad. During the series the England players will spend the time together, foregoing any County commitments. The first Ashes test, for the first time will be played in Cardiff, with second test at Lords, the third Ashes test will be at Edgebaston, the fourth test at Headingley and the fifth and final test at the Oval.
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