Strauss shrugs off hostile MCG crowd
Source: Agencies |
December 26, 2010, Sunday
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ENGLAND will not be intimidated by a Melbourne Cricket Ground packed with a hostile Australian crowd for the fourth Ashes test, captain Andrew Strauss said yesterday.
The test gets under way today and officials have talked up the possibility of a record attendance for a cricket ground at the cauldron-like 100,000-capacity MCG on the first day.
Strauss's counterpart, Ricky Ponting, took a psychological swipe at England's youthful side, saying he thought they could find the atmosphere intimidating with the five-test series delicately poised at 1-1.
"I'm sure he does," Strauss said of Ponting following England's final training session at the MCG. "I don't think we will, no. One of the things that's important is that you're ready for it and you're not surprised by it.
"It's going to be quite a big spectacle and it's out of the ordinary. We don't usually play in front of that number of people."
England, like Australia, will delay naming its side until before the toss today as the visitors wait to gauge how the pitch develops.
Strauss said the look of the wicket had given him reasons to be optimistic about England's chances following the team's struggles at Perth, where its batsmen were skittled cheaply in both innings on the WACA's quick deck.
"These conditions shouldn't be that alien for us and should suit our style of play," he said.
"I think Graeme Swann will come into the game more than he did in Perth, so there's plenty of reasons for us to be optimistic about this game.
"I can't think of anything better than to come over and win the Boxing Day test. That would be a very good feather in all of our caps."
Ponting's broken finger, meanwhile, is healing well and he should be able to play in the test, the Australian captain said.
Ponting's participation has been in doubt since he broke the little finger on his left hand in a catch attempt during the third test in Perth.
"The finger is good," said Ponting after Australia's final practice session at the MCG.
"I'm actually pretty surprised how I've been able to train the last couple of days.
"Something pretty strange is going to have to happen today for me not to play tomorrow."
The test gets under way today and officials have talked up the possibility of a record attendance for a cricket ground at the cauldron-like 100,000-capacity MCG on the first day.
Strauss's counterpart, Ricky Ponting, took a psychological swipe at England's youthful side, saying he thought they could find the atmosphere intimidating with the five-test series delicately poised at 1-1.
"I'm sure he does," Strauss said of Ponting following England's final training session at the MCG. "I don't think we will, no. One of the things that's important is that you're ready for it and you're not surprised by it.
"It's going to be quite a big spectacle and it's out of the ordinary. We don't usually play in front of that number of people."
England, like Australia, will delay naming its side until before the toss today as the visitors wait to gauge how the pitch develops.
Strauss said the look of the wicket had given him reasons to be optimistic about England's chances following the team's struggles at Perth, where its batsmen were skittled cheaply in both innings on the WACA's quick deck.
"These conditions shouldn't be that alien for us and should suit our style of play," he said.
"I think Graeme Swann will come into the game more than he did in Perth, so there's plenty of reasons for us to be optimistic about this game.
"I can't think of anything better than to come over and win the Boxing Day test. That would be a very good feather in all of our caps."
Ponting's broken finger, meanwhile, is healing well and he should be able to play in the test, the Australian captain said.
Ponting's participation has been in doubt since he broke the little finger on his left hand in a catch attempt during the third test in Perth.
"The finger is good," said Ponting after Australia's final practice session at the MCG.
"I'm actually pretty surprised how I've been able to train the last couple of days.
"Something pretty strange is going to have to happen today for me not to play tomorrow."
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