The 2009 edition of the long awaited Ashes series is only days away, and the pre
parations for both of the teams are well under way, with Australia and England both currently participating in tour games. Kevin Pietersen has already made his usual big statements and comments regarding the touring Australians, claiming that Mitchell Johnson has a very big load on his shoulders, and all the pressure will be on the big all rounder to perform in this series, as he is now the spearhead of the Australian attack.
parations for both of the teams are well under way, with Australia and England both currently participating in tour games. Kevin Pietersen has already made his usual big statements and comments regarding the touring Australians, claiming that Mitchell Johnson has a very big load on his shoulders, and all the pressure will be on the big all rounder to perform in this series, as he is now the spearhead of the Australian attack. Kevin Pietersen has big expectations to live up to
Michael Vaughan has announced his retirement, ending his long career spanning over 10 years with England, Vaughan's exclusion from the Ashes squad called for the end of the former England captain's career, after struggling throughout the season in the county championship, after averaging under 20 in the season, which of course backs up why the England selectors didn't pick him in the squad altogether.
Who makes the final cut in the battle for a spot in Australian's final XI will be very interesting, Siddle and Johnson look to be the only definite selections, Watson's latest struggle with injury hasn't helped the selectors already difficult choices either. As for England, Anderson, Broad and of course Flintoff look to be definite starters for the first test, whether they will choose to play two spinners in Swann and Panesar is also something they will toss up, depending on the state of the traditionally turning Cardiff wicket. If they choose to play just the one spinner, there will be a fight for the fourth pace option, Sidebottom should claim his spot for his performances in the past, despite Harmison being in promising form.
Michael Hussey has found form with the bat with an unbeaten 143 against the England Lions at Worcester, which is promising for the Australian, who has been struggling to compile runs for well over 8 months, he will be hoping he takes his form into this Ashes series, as this could be his last test series if he fails to perform, the selectors can only back him for a limited amount of time, the runs must flow at some point, and Hussey's deadline is quickly approaching.
Leading up to this series it looks to be a thriller, with England looking to be a much stronger force then what they were previously when they were thrashed 5-0 in Australia, spectators will be praying that it will be as closely fought out as what the last Ashes series in England panned out to be.
Hussey must take his form into the Ashes
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