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Ashes captains continue war of words
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The war of words that has added spice to the lead-up to cricket’s oldest enduring test series will give way to genuine hostilities today when bitter Ashes rivals Australia and England march out in front of a packed crowd at the Gabba.
A temporary cease-fire was called on Wednesday as Australia captain Steve Smith and his England counterpart Joe Root paused for photos under a blue sky at the Brisbane stadium, but both captains have been looking to land a psychological blow on the eve of the first test.
The customary photo opportunity may have been the only chance to get a clear image from the entire day, with smoke and mirrors employed liberally by the captains during the pre-match media conferences.
Root steadfastly declined to name his side but the element of surprise was lost some four hours later when the England and Wales Cricket Board released the team on its website, with Nottingham bowler Jake Ball beating out Craig Overton as the fourth seamer.
Smith had earlier thrown a curve-ball by saying David Warner, his vice captain, opener and best batsman, remained a doubt as he recovers from a neck strain.
Compounding the drama, Cricket Australia later revealed batsman Shaun Marsh had suffered a back strain at training on Wednesday and was also uncertain for the match.
As to how Australia would deal with Warner’s absence, Smith gave no answer.
The board later said allrounder Glenn Maxwell had been rushed to Brisbane in readiness to slot in if Warner failed to prove his fitness.
Quite how Marsh’s potential absence would be covered remains up in the air.
Before the Marsh news broke, Root had said Warner’s injury would do nothing to change his team’s preparations.
Root has seemed impervious to the pressure of leading a team regarded skeptically by cricket media in both countries, and he has played a straight bat to the usual provocations from Australia’s pundits and players.
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