Now or never for Pup's players

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 20 November 2013 | 20.47

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Australia must put England to the sword in the first Test at the Gabba, beginning today, or the Ashes will be gone for another series.

Fortress Gabba has been Australia's bastion for most of the past 80 years but failure to strike in Brisbane has usually meant failure around the country.

Even drawn Tests have often meant that Australia has failed to win the series and win it they must if they are to regain the Ashes after losing three series on the trot.

Only once has Australia come back from losing in Brisbane to claim the little urn, during 1936-37 when Don Bradman was captain.

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Captain Michael Clarke knows the size of the task ahead for him and his team. His tense mood yesterday suggested the time for talking was over.

"There's been a lot said about the build-up to this series, speculation about players, how Australia are going to turn it around," he said after training.

"I'm not going to sit here and promise the world, tell you everything is going to be different.

"Our job is to perform at our best, and hope the result will take care of itself.

"I think the belief is there, and I hope we'll show that over the next five Test matches."

England captain Alastair Cook made it clear that his side was acutely aware of Fortress Gabba, although the 235 not out he made there last time turned a certain Australian victory into a draw before England went on to claim the series.

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"We've spoken about their record here, not losing for 25 years is a good achievement," Cook said.

"We spoke about something like this at Lord's 2009, when we played them. We hadn't beaten them for 70-odd years at Lord's and we made a real conscious effort to try to change that.

"This side has done that a number of times, when there have been specific challenges ahead of us, we've delivered.

"Whether we can do that this game will depend on how well we play, but the start of the series, and especially at such a ground where they have a lot of confidence, would do us the world of good."

Clarke appeared to confirm that spinner Nathan Lyon would play ahead of all-rounder James Faulkner, although the team will not be announced until today.

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"The wicket looks fantastic, it will offer pace and bounce for the bowlers and that includes spin," said Clarke.

"Spin has had success at the Gabba because of the bounce more than the spin.

"The Gabba is one of the best Test wickets in the world because it offers good pace and bounce so your bowlers are always interested."

Clarke also confirmed that Shane Watson was likely to bowl after recovering sufficiently from a hamstring strain.

"I don't think he will be at 100 per cent in bowling 25 overs in the first innings of a Test match, but Watto has improved every single day and I'm confident he will be able to bat at his best and do a job with the ball for us," said Clarke.

CAN AUSTRALIA TAKE BACK THE ASHES WITHOUT WINNING IN BRISBANE? HAVE YOUR SAY BELOW.


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