Cook not intimidated by Australia’s pace attack

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Alastair Cook has played down the significance of England’s last Ashes tour to Australia, saying the visitors will not look back but rather concentrate on the task at hand.

Cook was captain of England on the 2013-2014 tour that saw his side demolished five-nil with Australia fast bowler Mitchell Johnson wrecking havoc on the tourists, taking 37 wickets in the series.

Australia spinner Nathan Lyon has already spoken about how the hosts wants to open old scars on the visitors but Cook insists England’s last tour Down Under will be irrelevant when the first ball gets bowled at the GABBA on Thursday.

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Cook told reporters on Tuesday: “Mitch bowled outstandingly in that series, one of the best periods of bowling I’ve ever faced backed up by Ryan Harris, Peter Siddle – (but) they’re no longer playing.

“So in one sense it’s a bit irrelevant. It happened four years ago and it’s all what happens on Thursday rather than looking back.

“England have won four of the last five Ashes series, so you can look at what you want.”

Australia will once again field an express pace attack with Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc capable of bowling over 145 km per hour.

But opening batsman Cook is looking forward to the challenge.

Cook continue: There’s nothing we haven’t seen before in cricket. They’re not suddenly bowling 150 miles an hour. (They’ve) not got magic balls which start way outside the stumps and swing miles and stuff.

“They’re very good bowlers with good records. As batters, that is the challenge we’ve got in the next seven weeks.”

Alastair Cook England The Ashes

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