England will be looking to retain the Ashes after their 3-0 win on home, as the series starts in Brisbane from November 21. PHOTO: AFP
Cook walked the boundary and did some stretching as the likes of Kevin Pietersen and Matthew Prior batted to deliveries from teammates, but batsman Bell shrugged off injury concerns about the opener.
“I’m sure he’ll be fine,” said Bell. “Obviously a long flight isn’t always easy. I’m sure he’ll be right in the next week or so.”
Bell said he expected both Cook and Stuart Broad, who was also not seen taking the field at the training session, to be ‘pretty good really soon’.
But it leaves a question mark over whether they will be part of the team which plays a three-day tour match against a second-string Western Australian Chairman’s XI tomorrow.
Australia is fighting to win back the Ashes for the first time in six years, with this series coming hard on the heels of England’s 3-0 win on home soil earlier this year.
Clarke backs himself for Ashes
Australian captain Michael Clarke said yesterday he believes he can play all five Ashes Tests against England and has years of cricket left in him, despite being plagued by chronic back problems.
“Right now I feel fit and healthy,” said Clarke. He batted away speculation about early retirement due to his lingering back troubles, saying: “I certainly don’t believe that my back will play a part in regard to shortening my career.”
Clarke said he was confident Australia could turn the tables on England in the Ashes series, which starts in Brisbane on November 21.
DRS moves put heat on Ashes umpires
Controversial umpiring punctuated the last Ashes series but match officials may be under more pressure in the upcoming Tests as they grapple with a much-changed Decision Review System (DRS).
Tensions involving DRS ran high during England’s 3-0 home win this year, with interventions from team and International Cricket Council (ICC) officials.
However, the umpires will face a different challenge in Australia after host broadcaster Channel Nine dumped the costly and inconsistent Hot Spot infra-red technology.
That means the third umpire will have to judge reviews based on Eagle Eye the ball-tracking system, audio from stumps microphones and slow-motion replays.
The ICC has also announced both teams will have their reviews topped up to two after 80 overs of a Test innings, meaning more umpiring decisions will be challenged and the third umpire will be called on more often.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 30th, 2013.
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