Mark Waugh confident of Australia retaining Ashes
23 Jun 2009, 1706 Hrs

Add comment          Mail          Print          Write to Editor

Sydney, June 23 Former Australian star, Mark Waugh, has expressed confidence in the Australian squad ahead of the historic Ashes series, saying that Australia is well placed to retain the trophy in England.

"Australia take a good form line from South Africa, winning the series over there. I think Australia will probably win the series," Fox Sports quoted Waugh, as saying.

"The keys for England are Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff again. And there's question marks over their fitness and without them, I don't see how they get the firepower to beat us," Waugh added.

Waugh further said that Australia's disappointing exit from the Twenty20 World Cup, in which they failed to reach the Super Eights following losses to West Indies and Sri Lanka in the group stage, would have no bearing on the coming Test series.

"The players have probably now had a better preparation, a longer preparation, for The Ashes. Twenty20 is a different game, and different players were involved, compared with the Test series. But now it's finished, they'll be concentrating on The Ashes and I don't think the defeats will have any bearing at all on the five Ashes Tests," he added.

Waugh also highlighted the need for match practice for some of their faster bowlers, particularly Brett Lee and Stuart Clark, who are coming back from injury.

"Brett Lee and Stuart Clark; they just need to bowl. They're world-class bowlers, both of them, and Australia can do with both of them if they're at the best. It'll be interesting to see how they go in the next two games," Waugh said. (ANI)

Related Latest

Porn star backed 'Sex party' confident of success in Oz elections Security beefed up for Guwahati ODI Australia must join Muslim Asia or perish, warns Taliban publication Indian players make a mark in game of baseball in US Sachin Tendulkar crosses 17000-run mark in ODIs No republic in Australia while Queen on throne: Howard Australia unlikely to send more troops to Afghanistan Yeddyurappa meets Sushma, confident of a solution to the crisis by the evening Oz pacer Bollinger confident of scaling new heights When David Walliams took off Mark Ronson's underwear onstage!

Related Latest

Chemicals used in industrial applications may affect cholesterol levels Now, video game that improves intelligence How to include aging population in the technology revolution Chemical that regulates circadian rhythm identified Here's how you can shoot the perfect free throw Meet Liam Gallagher, the footie star Gerard Butler desperate to remain true to his Scottish roots Thandie Newton fell in love with hubby at first sight Russell Brand tired of "Googling" himself Two police officers embark on bicycle rally to spread message of unity

• Now, video game that improves intelligence
• Chemicals used in industrial applications may affect cholesterol levels
• How to include aging population in the technology revolution
• Chemical that regulates circadian rhythm identified
• Here's how you can shoot the perfect free throw

• बीकानेर महापौर चुनावः एक विश्लेषण
• Deepawali: The Festival Of Lights
• Nine tips for nine nights
• need new prevention tech for HIV, other STIs and UP
• "Good health is India's basic need": Easier said than done Mr Prime Minister!