Cook not intimidated by Australia’s pace attack
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.
ALSO READ: Lyon wants to open up Root ‘crack’
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.”
Latest
-
News
England will not adopt negative approach after humbling in India – Zak Crawley
England will aim to get ‘Bazball’ back on track this summer against West Indies and Pakistan.
-
News
On this day in 2018: Australian trio banned after ball-tampering saga
The trio were handed their punishments on March 28, 2018.
-
County Cricket
Surrey stars eager to help Alec Stewart sign off with more silverware
Stewart has guided Surrey to three County Championship wins during his decade in charge.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.
-
Women's Cricket
Heather Knight urges more composure from England after New Zealand collapse
The tourists needed just 29 from 29 balls with eight wickets in hand.