Published: Nov 21, 2013, 10:51 AM (IST)
Edited: Nov 21, 2013, 10:51 AM (IST)
Australia have not lost a Test at Brisbane since past 25 years © Getty Images
Nov 21, 2013
Former England skipper Michael Vaughan has predicted that if England manage to breach Australia‘s fortress — Brisbane, then the Ashes is good as gone for the home side.
“I would definitely say if England win here, it’s gone for Australia. No chance. Australia have to win this week. Remember, they’ve got to win the Ashes to get them back. I think this is the week that Australia have to win. It’s such a big first game,” Vaughan, the Channel Nine commentator was quoted as saying by Sydney Morning Herald.
Australia have not lost a Test match at Brisbane since last 25 years. At the same time, the Aussies have struggled to notch up a victory in the five-day format since January 2013. Vaughan feels, even though Australia are a good side, all the talk won’t matter f they can’t perform.
“They’re talking a good game but you can talk as much as you want – you’ve got to go out and win a game. I think this is Michael Clarke’s moment this series, where he can really step up to the plate. There are so many people in the world who say Clarke is a brilliant tactician, great out in the middle, but there comes a moment as a captain where you’ve got to grasp it. This is Michael Clarke’s, and if he doesn’t, I think there will be questions asked about him.
“The last three matches in England I thought they were the better side. But the bare facts are that they didn’t win a game. It kind of reminds me of what England were like up until 2005 — every series we came into, a lot of people built us up and after game one it was like, ‘Oh no, here we go again’,” Vaughan stated.
The former England skipper expressed that Australia have a chance if Clarke fires with the bat and Ryan Harris — Man of the series in the Ashes earlier this year gets wickets.
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