Ashes down under

Some cricket lovers say we go to ground to watch Sachin play. Those seeking entertainment say we go to watch Gayle, Pollard in T-20. Those who like a chasing game prefer India-Australia contest, especially on Jaipur and Nagpur pitch. But those who love to listen Richie Benaud, Ian Chappel, Michael Holding explaining every minute details of the game, those who cherish the red cherry whistling past the batsman’s ear, those who love to see the batsmen being intimidated by the bowlers, adore the ashes; the clash between the two classical test teams.

                 
The urn, the coveted trophy, the pride, the Ashes… Australians are deprived to own this prestigious title from the last two years. Frustration, agony, torment, whatever you call it; every Australian player and Australian fans have been engrossed by these terms. They are asking for how long they would get iluded by the ashes? They are asking why the once champion and ruthless team is even begging to catch-up with England? They are questioning  isn’t our bowling strength not lethal enough to shear through England’s batting line-up twice? They are pleading can’t our batting line-up endure strongly against the England attack. They are demanding this time Cook and his troops not be allowed to fly back with the ashes.

As the reciprocal series is being played down under, cricket lovers expect Clarke and his men to show some resilience and be ardent in their efforts to pull back the ashes. Though Clarke has said his team has left behind the scar of ashes loss, that too three in a row, it would demand a high yield strength to fortify his side against the force of vivid England team. It will be a fascinating tussle to watch whether the vulnerable Australian team shows the spirit of phoenix, or the England team again burns the Aussies to ashes.

The hostile spell of Johnson and the uncharacteristic sledging attack by Clarke in the  first test has already spiced up the series. Now task is on England's hand to negate the blow by the super performance with the attitude-
"You hit me once, I hit you back,
you hit me back, I kick your ass."

Ritesh Kadam,
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