The Ashes: Australians plan for the Ashes

If any of the five Australia debutants can impress against Pakistan in the upcoming Test series, in November a ticket for the Ashes starting in Brisbane could be the reward. But Ahmed Rizvi writes that it is not just the new boys who are in need of nice performances, some of the most established members of the squad have question marks hanging over them, too
Ricky Ponting
The Australia captain has scored more than 11,900 runs and 39 centuries in Test cricket, but is yet to reach the three figure mark at Lord’s, where the first Test starts today. The likes of Bangladesh’s Tamim Iqbal have their name inscribed on the honour board at the home of cricket, but Ponting has a top score of 42 in six innings at the venue. This could be his last Test at the ground and “Punter” is keen to finally get a century on the haloed turf. “Over the years, I have not got a great record at Lord’s as far as Test cricket is concerned,” he said. “It would be nice to make a hundred there. But if that doesn’t happen, there’s not much I can do about it.”
Mitchell Johnson
Johnson also does not have glad memories of Lord’s.The last time he played a Test at the home of cricket, it was the fourth match of the 2009 Ashes and the left arm pacer was hammered for 200 runs as England won by 115 runs to take a 2-1 lead in the series. Johnson still remembers that game and is keen to exorcise those demons ahead of the battle for the urn Down Under.“That Ashes experience was very frustrating,” he said. “I was going through a few personal things at the time. I was spraying the ball about. But I have learned from it and proved to myself I am a better bowler.”
Michael Hussey

“Mr Cricket” also has bad memories from his last visit to England. Hussey was the least successful of Australia’s batsmen in the 2009 Ashes with two ducks and two other scores of less than 10 runs in eight innings, before he finished off with a well made 121 at The Oval. Against Pakistan, he has had no such problems with a memorable century at Sydney earlier in the year and an incredible innings of 60 from 24 balls in the semi final of the World Twenty20. He will be looking to build on those impressive knocks and hope to carry that form over for when England visit Australia later in the year.
Steven Smith
Since making his international debut in February this year, the leg-spinner has won many admirers for his attitude.His growing reputation will, however, be put to the test when the 21-year-old plays his first Test match, against a team traditionally strong against spinners.The England think-tank will be making notes as he bowls to the likes of the Butts, Akmals and Afridis.Should he succeed against players of their ilk, he will have truly arrived.If things don’t go his way, Smith can find solace in Shane Warne’s disappointing Test debut against India and come back stronger to follow in the footsteps of a peerless legend.
Tim Paine
A talented top-order batsman and wicketkeeper, Tim Paine could be making his Test debut against Pakistan today.He has already got glowing recommendations from his captain. “Expect a big showing from him,” said Ponting.
“He is very, very solid behind the stumps and very technically correct as a batsman.”Paine will look to prove him right after a mixed showing in the recent one-day international series against England when he failed to build on good starts.But if he can improve against Pakistan, a place in the Ashes squad will surely be his.

Uni Oval new home for Sutcliffe ashes?

The ashes of cricketing great Bert Sutcliffe might be shifted to the new home of Otago cricket, a move prompted by the demise of Carisbrook.
Otago Cricket Association chief executive Ross Dykes yesterday confirmed that the Sutcliffe family had given their blessing to relocating the ashes of the legendary left handed batsman from their place at Carisbrook to the University Oval.
Sutcliffe, regarded as Otago's and arguably New Zealand's greatest batsman, scored a then-record 17 first class centuries for Otago - equalled last year by Otago captain Craig Cumming - while amassing 6028 runs at an average of 59.09.
Sutcliffe died in Auckland in 2001, aged 77, but his ashes were returned to Dunedin to be buried in an urn at Carisbrook.
They rest under the same hallowed turf as the ashes of All Black Charlie Saxton, while others - including former Otago opening batsman Ray Hunt - were also believed to have been scattered on the field.
Yesterday, Mr Dykes said the idea of moving Sutcliffe's ashes was yet to be confirmed, but he imagined relocating them to a plot somewhere on the University Oval ground, with the spot marked by a brass plaque.
"Bert Sutcliffe was a cricket player, and they (his ashes) should be at a cricket ground," he said.
"The University Oval is the home of Otago cricket now, and Bert was our most famous player. If there are ashes, they should rest at the home of Otago Cricket," Mr Dykes said.
The transfer could take place in the next few months, while work to extend the University Oval's boundaries was under way, he said.
Questions about what to do with ashes at Carisbrook were raised in 2006, but have re-emerged as the Dunedin City Council - which bought the ground last year - considers proposals for the venue's future use, ranging from playing fields to a light industrial park.

Otago Rugby Football Union chief executive Richard Reid said he had discussed relocating Sutcliffe's ashes with Mr Dykes, and would support the move.
Mr Reid had also discussed Charlie Saxton's ashes with the All Black's son, Bill Saxton, but no decisions had been made and there was "no particular hurry".
"We are certainly aware of it and we will be respectful of everything we need to do, and work with the families," he said.
Carisbrook Stadium Trust chairman Malcolm Farry said Carisbrook was "hallowed ground", and perhaps more so than some people realised.
He had heard unconfirmed reports of families "not infrequently" gaining access to Carisbrook without permission to scatter the ashes of a loved one on the playing surface.
"I have no evidence of that ... but you can imagine, can't you, that possibly that might happen."

The Ashes here says Ricky Ponting as one-day series approaches

These days it is difficult to get through any summer without mention of the "A" word but, with another momentous winter in the offing and the Australian team arriving here fresh from a close encounter with the Irish, and with five one day internationals against England pending, the subject seems inescapable.the
Australia may no longer be the pre-eminent Test side, and were victims in the final when England won the World Twenty20 in scintillating fashion in the Caribbean currently, but they hold the 50‑over World Cup until the next tournament, which begins in February, and for some while have had a strangehold over England in that format.
The last time the teams met, in the aftermath of England's Ashes victory last summer, Australia won six of the seven matches and, with one eye inevitably on the winter Test series, they have no intention of relinquishing this particular superiority, despite England's rapid one-day improvement in the last year.
Today the Australia captain, Ricky Ponting, who was not part of the T20 side, said that, while he did not think the forthcoming series would have any direct impact on the winter Tests, it was always something that would be in the back of the mind, especially with young players attempting to make their way after the fragmentation of the great Australian side that dominated the game for the last decade.
Australia, of course, will be attempting to win back the Ashes, just as they were minded to do in such devastating fashion after England's 2005 success, and Ponting, whose team will be playing two Test matches and two T20 internationals against Pakistan while in England, as well as the one-day series against England, said that while focusing on these matches everything will be leading up to getting ready for late November in Brisbane.
"Whenever there is a big series coming up," he said, "the build up starts a fair way out – and for the Ashes it's already started. It is likely on all of our minds a little bit. It's exciting for the game – there's nothing bigger as far as I'm concerned than an Ashes series and, when it's in Australia as well and we need to win it back, it adds a little more to it.
"I'm expecting the guys to be in exactly the same frame of mind as they were for the return bout last time. Pretty much from now until the Ashes are over and done with in the middle of January everything we do will have some sort of focus on the Ashes series. There will be no excuses for us come late November."
While saying that a five match ODI series will have little direct bearing on the outcome of the Ashes, Ponting acknowledges an chance for some members of his squad to play themselves into the spotlight. "It's a great chance for guys to get exposure, like Doug Bollinger and even Cameron White," he said. "We've got to impose ourselves right from the start and gather some momentum for the series.
"Our guys have one day experience and some of them are finding the one dayers a good way to settle into international cricket. This series offers them a great chance. Sometimes the young guys try a little bit too hard when they first come into the side. I tell them to back themselves and find a way of adapting to international cricket. All Australian players love playing against England and I think we will look that over the next few weeks.
"We've had a actually good run, winning World Cups and Champions Trophies and the next World Cup is not very far away, although we've got a lot of cricket to play between now and then. We've got a pretty great idea about how our squad will look at the World Cup. We've had a good run and there is a actually good feeling around the group. We've got a very skilful group of players who can adapt to conditions well."
There will be a opportunity to reacquaint themselves with the England players, although England have already opted to keep Steven Finn out of the firing line. "We already know each other pretty well," admitted Ponting. "We've played a fair bit against each other and now we're going to play a little bit more but I like that. There won't be much we don't know about England by the end of the summer."

Ashes place Kieswetter now eyeing Prior's

England wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter, who has been catapulted into the national one day team, has said that his ultimate dream is to fly Down Under as the wicketkeeper for the Ashes series.
Kieswetter has replaced regular wicketkeeper Matt Prior in the 13-man one-day squad for the upcoming five match home series against Australia.
"I would love to be on the plane to Australia. I feel I'm doing the right things, but it's going to be down to how I perform when I get a chance. I hope they take two keepers on tour," The Sun quoted Kieswetter, as saying.
"Matt is No 1 right now and there are a couple of people, including me, trying to fight for that next spot," he added.
The 22 year old further said that to fulfill his dream he has been working hard with England wicketkeeping coach Bruce French.
"I wouldn't say Matt is a better wicketkeeper than me. He has probably been a bit more consistent than I have, but I'm training really hard," Kieswetter said.
"I don't really keep an eye on Matt's performances. I have to keep myself to myself, keep my head down and train hard. I want to be playing all forms of the game for as long as I can. I have two out of three now," he added.
He also admits that to play Test cricket, he would have to score a lot more runs and be consistent in his wicketkeeping.
England face Scotland in a one day international in Edinburgh on June 19 before taking on Australia in the series opener in Hampshire on June 22.

England Looking Hot To Trott

JONATHAN TROTT cast off his Mr Tension tag yesterday and laid an early claim to an Ashes place.

Trott helped himself to a second century in two home Tests as England embarked on a predictable runfest against Bangladesh.

He finished with 175 not out as England ended day one of the npower First Test at Lord's on 362-4.

Captain Andrew Strauss made 83 in his first England innings for more than four months.

Trott looked unrecognisable from the man who last winter was put through the wringer by South Africa and then reduced to a state of nervous, shotless, self-flagellation in Bangladesh.

He is the man whose place is under most pressure when the resting Paul Collingwood returns to the Test side against Pakistan in July.

But his century might force the selectors to reconsider their pecking order, especially as Ian Bell was out for just 17.

One of them is likely to play in the Ashes series in Australia later this year - but only one of them.

It is clear England's hierarchy want Eoin Morgan in the Ashes team and his first Test innings has so far brought 40 not out.

He might be the first man in history to hit his first Test boundary with a reverse sweep - aka the Paddy Whack.

Trott scored a century on his Test debut in the cauldron of last summer's Ashes decider at The Oval and has now added another at the home of cricket. The matches in between were the problem.

By the time he reached Bangladesh in March, Trott had become as anxious as Mark Ramprakash used to be for England. A couple of iffy decisions and a dropped dolly catch did not help his mindset, either.

But the South African-born player was positive from the start yesterday, unfurling several crisp drives and his favourite flick through midwicket.

It was only Bangladesh, of course, and their attack was little more than minor county standard.

Trott knew he was in a no-win situation. If he failed, it was a further sign of mental fragility. If he succeeded, he could be accused of scoring easy runs and making a pig of himself.

Not surprisingly, he chose the latter option and he certainly responded to Strauss' pre-match request for England batsmen to score more big hundreds.

He scratched his crease incessantly as usual but there was less of the delaying between balls that so infuriated the South Africans.

Bangladesh put England into bat - their way of avoiding facing James Anderson, Steve Finn and Co on a gloomy morning - and Alastair Cook was soon given out lbw by umpire Ashoka de Silva even though TV replays suggested the ball was too high.

There is no referral system in place here so Cook could not be reprieved.

Sky, the host broadcaster, and the ICC failed to agree who should pay for the equipment, although the system is likely to be in place for next week's Second Test at Old Trafford.

Strauss was quickly into his stride and pulled medium-pacer Robiul Islam for six and then clipped him for four two balls later.

England's captain, who appeared after lunch wearing a pair of fluorescent orange gloves, was closing in on another century at Lord's when he chopped on to his stumps.

Kevin Pietersen, wearing a d'Artagnan-style goatee, was out to a left-arm spinner yet again when he aimed a big drive at Shakib Al Hasan and missed.

Bell received the best delivery of the day, a nip-backer down the slope from Rubel Hossain.

There was a nasty moment when a pull shot by Morgan struck Imrul Kayes on the head at short leg. His helmet saved him from serious injury but he still needed to be helped off the field.

Trott and Morgan have put on 104 for the fourth wicket and there could be some real fireworks today.

Beating New Zealand gives Australia 'IMPETUS'.

Ricky Ponting says beating New Zealand gives Australia Ashes impetus.Australia capped off a perfect summer of Test cricket with a 176-run win over New Zealand and their captain Ricky Ponting feels his side are now ready to reclaim the Ashes. The Australians arrived in New Zealand after a clean-sweep of victories against Pakistan and then West Indies in Tests and soon added another series win after two solid victories over the Kiwis.

The next big mission on Australia's calendar is the Ashes this winter and they will be desperate for revenge after England took the honours last year. Ponting believes his team have come through the summer perfectly and reckons everything is in order to mount a good challenge for the series that begins on home soil in November.

"I don't think we could be in a better place," he said following the win against New Zealand in Hamilton. "There will be no excuses from us because we've done everything that I would have liked to achieve this summer and we've done it well.

Tories and ECB agree on no free-to-air Ashes

The England and Wales Cricket Board has been handed a boost to its campaign to block the return of the Ashes to the "crown jewels" list of events protected for free-to-air TV after the Tories said they would not back the move if they won power.
Hugh Robertson, the shadow sports minister, said it would be a "brave if not very foolish" move at a time when other revenue streams for sport were coming under pressure.
Last year an independent review commissioned by the government recommended that the list of events reserved for live broadcast on free-to-air TV should be expanded to include the Ashes, the whole of Wimbledon, the rugby union World Cup and international football qualifiers involving the home nations.
Sports governing bodies, led by the ECB, attacked the plans. The ECB chairman, Giles Clarke, said the "disastrous" proposals would be ruinous to investment at international, county and grassroots levels.
The proposals, put forward from a panel headed by the former Football Association executive director David Davies, are out to official consultation but Robertson, speaking at a debate with the sports minister, Gerry Sutcliffe, and the Liberal Democrat sports spokesman, Don Foster, said he would not back any move to list the Ashes.
"When the review was launched the calculation was made that there were an awful lot of votes in returning cricket to free-to-air," he said.
"Now people are just waking up to the fact that 80% of the ECB's income comes from broadcast income and if you take that away you are going to decimate quite a lot of investment that has gone in to women's cricket and the grassroots.