England leave for Ashes defence

2006-11-03 21:36

London - England flew out to Australia for the defence of the Ashes on Friday having reiterated their promise to play positive cricket in a bid to win their first series on Australian soil in 20 years.

However, were the five-match campaign, which starts in Brisbane on November 23, to end in stalemate then a drawn series would see England retain the Ashes and for many of their fans that would be an equally acceptable outcome.

Playing for a draw, though, against Ricky Ponting's world number one-ranked side could prove a recipe for disaster and England opening batsman Andrew Strauss said what his team needed was a repeat of the bold play which saw his side regain the Ashes for the first time in 19 years with a 2-1 success in 2005.

"When you try to hang around or you are content to just occupy the crease and survive, you are liable to come unstuck because they just swarm all over you," vice-captain Strauss told the Daily Mirror.

"But if you answer fire with fire - and pick the right balls to go after - it is possible to live with them as Michael Vaughan showed on the last Ashes tour."

Vaughan's knee injury means he won't be making the trip and England have fitness doubts regarding several members of their 16-man squad.

Although captain and inspirational all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has been cleared to bowl, doubts remain over how his ankle will hold up to the stresses of an Ashes tour.

Meanwhile Ashley Giles may have been passed fit following a hip problem but the left-arm spinner hasn't played Test cricket for some 12 months and fellow 2005 Ashes-winner Marcus Trescothick's well being remains a concern after the opening batsman missed the Champions Trophy event in India because of a "stress-related" illness.

England are due to arrive in Sydney at 20:00 GMT on Saturday.

- AFP