CAN ENGLAND BE SECOND TIME LUCKY AT DOWN UNDER?

 By Seun Ajidagba
@seunajidagba

England Cricket National Team would not forget in a hurry year 2010-2011 when the Three lions had the famous sprinkler dance on Australian soil which was to celebrate their First Ashes series victory in Thirty-Two years.
Australia's build-up to the 2013 Ashes series was a time bomb waiting to explode after the Australian Cricket Federation appointed Darren Lehmann who was an assistant to Mickey Arthur to take over as coach some 14 days to the series following a string of poor results. This followed a batting line-up weakened by the previous year's retirements of former captain Ricky Ponting who was the second most successful batsman in test cricket behind Sachin Tendulkar (The Little Master) and Mike Hussey, while opener David Warner was suspended for the start of the series following an off-field incident.
All of the troubles put together gave England a comfortable 3-0 home victory over their familiar foes.

Though the Ashes series between England and Australia which is the most celebrated international cricket rivalry that dates back to 1882 has the smallest cup in the world and are traditionally of five Tests played biennially with the two countries taking turns as host. The Three lions are the current holders, having won the last three series, including the 2013 edition played in England and the Head-to-Head record stands at 31 series win for both countries while five series have been draw but the odds favour  England to get "back-to-back" series as well as retaining the urn.
The 2013–14 Ashes series starting on the 21st of November 2013 to 7th January 2014 will be contested at five venues namely The Gabba, Adelaide Oval, WACA Ground, Melbourne Cricket Ground and Sydney Cricket Ground but most importantly on the mind of Captain Micheal Clarke and the entire Australian Cricket National Team is to atone for the disappointment they caused their fans in 2010-2011 when they lost at home for the First time in 32years. As for Captain Alastair Cook of England he would want to write his name in Gold by becoming the First English Captain to win back-to-back Ashes matches on Australian soil for over a century ago.


On 23 September 2013, England and Wales Cricket Board announced a 17-man touring party for the Ashes series which included the usual suspects Captain Alastair Cook, Wicket Keeper and Vice-Captain Matt Prior, Jonny Bairstow Deputy Wicket-Keeper, James Anderson, Ian Bell, Kevin Pietersen, Joe Root, Graeme Swann, Chris Tremlett and Jonathan Trott.

Former Ireland international bowler Boyd Rankin, New Zealand-born all-rounder Ben Stokes and Zimbabwe-born batsman Gary Ballance all received call-ups despite being uncapped for England in Tests, while opening batsman Michael Carberry, spin bowler Monty Panesar and seamer Chris Tremlett all got call ups. Though Tim Bresnan is suffering from a back injury he still travelled with the squad to Australia.
Based on my years of following cricket I see another victory for England on Australian soil going by the consistency of the players they parade but no disrespect to the Aussies who I consider to be rebuilding after the exit of their great stars in the likes of Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Ricky Ponting, Andrew Symmonds, Mike Hussey, Justin Langer, Glenn McGrath and Damien Martyn.

It’s time for Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin, Phillip Hughes, Peter Siddle, Ryan Harris and Usman Khawaja, the present cricketers in Australia to prove that they can take up the challenge in the absence of their big stars who have called time on an illustrious career. My verdict sees another wild goose chase for the Darren Lehmann (Coach of Australia) tutored side.