The Ashes is one of the fiercest Test series in the cricketing world. Cricketers from both England and Australia have the Ashes on top of their priority lists. Playing in Ashes is something every English or Australian player always dreams. Going into Ashes series, being fit is what every player aims because winning the Ashes is the top priority.
Australian players in the past have a complaint about the hectic schedule before an Ashes series affecting their performances in the series. However, this won’t be the case this time around, as Australia play a One Day series in India before the Ashes starting 23rd November, which means they will have at least a month’s lay off before the start of the series.
Australian Chief James Sutherland is sure about the players fitness and preparation before the series. James said:
“It’s a pretty traditional format for the Australian players now, playing some sort of cricket in this September-October period before coming back to Australia, there won’t be an excuse (for the Ashes).”
Fans in Australia are very excited about the upcoming series down under as the initial three days of the Brisbane, Adelaide, Sydney and Perth Test have already been sold out. England won the last Ashes which was a very closely fought Test series 3-2 in 2015 at their home. Australia would like to get the Ashes back when England travels to Australia this time.
However, losing to Bangladesh in the first Test has given the Australians a wakeup call. Australia won the second Test to level the series in Bangladesh. The team had six players with an experience of less than 10 Test matches. Sutherland added:
“If you have a look at the results of those less experienced players, they are really starting to perform, People like Matt Renshaw and Peter Handscomb have done some fantastic things to contribute to winning teams. And that is an exciting thing for the future.”