The Ashes: retention not enough as hungry Australia seek to right wrongs of 2019
n the hours and days after the 2019 Ashes had been run and drawn in England, the careful wording from the touring country was all about retention. That was the focus of the congratulatory press release from Cricket Australia. Those around the camp who before thehad talked up victory had to temper it and explain that their primary job had been to hold on to the tiny urn, and that ultimately they were satisfied. “Retain” was pasted in for “win”, with the audible hint of an invisible asterisk.
By the time current captain Pat Cummins was standing on the Edgbaston turf ahead of the series about to start,. “After the other day there was a bit of talk that we’d ticked off the World Test Championship, the T20 World Cup, a one-day World Cup, but we still don’t feel like we’ve ticked off an away Ashes series. It’s the aim for our group this time.”
So it begins again. Whatever the semantics and satisfaction around retaining, the Australian men’s team has still not won an Ashes in England since 2001. In that series, with Glenn McGrath was steadying the crosshairs, Shane Warne windmilling his shoulder at slip, Brett Lee sprinting in, Steve Waugh doing a solo demolition of the other team while batting on one leg, it seemed like England would never win again. Instead, at least at home, it has gone the other way.
The current Australian team is a much better version than in 2019. Back then, in the middle order, Travis Head was unproven and non-keeping wicketkeeper Matthew Wade was filling a gap. Now it has Head near the top of the world rankings and a two-metre fast bowler with a barn-door forward defence in Cameron Green. Alex Carey has kept wicket cleanly and offers more with the bat than Paine.Marnus Labuschagne has gone from bench rider to top of the world.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Nick Kyrgios reveals mental health struggles during 2019 WimbledonTennis star Nick Kyrgios has opened up on his battle with mental health during Wimbledon in 2019 in the newest episodes of Netflix documentary Break Point set to be released on June 21.
Read more »
Kyrgios contemplated ending his own life after 2019 Wimbledon defeatThe Australian has previously been open about his struggles but in the Netflix documentary Break Point further detailed the despair he felt after losing to Rafael Nadal.
Read more »
Kyrgios contemplated ending his own life after 2019 Wimbledon defeatThe Australian has previously been open about his struggles but in the Netflix documentary Break Point further detailed the despair he felt after losing to Rafael Nadal.
Read more »
Steve Smith shakes off finger blow on Ashes eve, hoping to improve on Bradman-esque 2019 seriesAfter averaging more than 100 in the last Ashes series in England, Steve Smith says he is hoping to improve on that in the series starting on Friday night.
Read more »
Chappell whacks 'stupidity' of Ashes 'nightmare'The former Test captain is fuming 😡
Read more »
Ashes boost for England as Stokes declared fit to bowl alongside Broad and AndersonEngland receive a major boost for the opening Ashes Test at Edgbaston with two swing kings joined by Ben Stokes in the bowling attack.
Read more »