Former England batsmen and prolific first-class cricket run machine Graeme Hick, who has scored 40,000 first-class runs, insists that although the current series being held in India between Australia and the hosts may have caught the cricketing world's attention, the Ashes will always remain extra special due to it's underlying history, rivalry and heritage.Talking in Ahmedabad where Hick is representing the Chandigarh Lions, Hick said.
“Australians like to be the best and have performed consistently where ever they play except in India where they are made to work for their money. Although they (Australia) won the 2004 series, they have always found India hard opposition. And this tussle between the two sides has taken prime importance as the visitors are trying hard to break the jinx,” Hick added, “But the Australia-England rivalry is different. It has history attached and so will always be a head turner.”
The current series in India has raised a number of questions regarding the Australian team. Common consensus is that due to retirements the Australians have slipped back towards the pack.
Even if Australia do lose to India in India, the result won't be catastrophic for the Baggy Green's, the sub-continent is and always has been a very hard place to go and win a series. However it will make Australia's back-to-back series' against a strong South African team crucial for both team morale and the cricketing world's perception of the current Australian team's strength.
If England go into next years ashes believing that they can beat Australia due to poor Aussie form then the Ashes will become that much harder for Australia to retain.
Click here to read our ashes 2009 early preview.
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