England favourites as Ashes rivalry renews

Australia delays naming final team as series gets underway today.

BRISBANE:

Captain Michael Clarke kept everyone guessing Wednesday about the final makeup of the Australia team for the opening Test against England, saying the selectors were still discussing it.

The selection panel is contemplating if spinner Nathan Lyon will play ahead of bowling all-rounder James Faulkner in the final XI. Lyon is favored given the strong record of spinners at the Gabba, but Clarke said selection debates were still going on. Faulkner was a stand-out for Australia in their last Ashes Test at The Oval in August.



Clarke, who is no longer a selector, said he knew the batting order for the top seven, but would not be disclosing it until just before the start of the Gabba Test in Brisbane today.

“The selectors are probably talking about it as we speak so it’s probably a question for those guys,” Clarke told his Test-eve media conference, where the team is usually announced.

“I can’t talk about the selection part of it, because I’m not having that conversation right now with the selectors but the wicket looks fantastic.

“I think it looks a really good pitch, I think it’s going to offer pace and bounce for the bowlers and that includes spin. The Gabba is one of the best Test wickets in the world to play, it always keeps the bowlers interested and once you’re in, and it’s as good a place to bat as anywhere.”



Clarke said his players were keen to resume hostilities with their old enemy just three months after losing the last series 3-0 in England.

England not intimidated by Gabba fortress: Cook

Skipper Alastair Cook claims England are not intimidated by Australia’s invincibility at the Gabba and are looking for a big first innings total to set up a breakthrough victory.

Clarke’s Australians are looking to an unbeaten 25-year run at the Brisbane ground to give them the momentum to retrieve the Ashes urn and deny England a fourth straight series, something that has not been done since 1890.

England last won at the Gabba in 1986 and a victory first-up at Australia’s Brisbane fortress following their 3-0 series win at home three months ago will undoubtedly be a psychological blow to Australia’s series chances.

“There’s no reason to feel intimidated, said Cook. “A lot of players in the squad we have this year were here in 2010-11 so we’ve all got experience of winning in Australia and we’re trying to use that to the best of our ability.”



“We know how important this game was last time for setting up the series. Australia have a very good record in Brisbane, it’s our job to try and change that.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 21^st, 2013.

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