"Even the greats of the Ashes have been weighed down by 143 years of shared history, tradition and controversy. For keen observers of Australia and England, Ashes anxiety can cloud judgments, hopes and dreams. Personally, a heart still bearing the scars from more than a decade spent living behind enemy lines as a once all-conquering Australia failed to tie let alone win an Ashes series in England, now insists on managing expectations."
"The hosts' own preparations have hardly gone to plan. Pat Cummins is ruled out of at least the first Test. Josh Hazlewood has joined the captain on the sidelines with an all-too familiar early-season fitness issue. The injuries strip Australia of having arguably the four leading bowlers in the series all stacked on their side. But they can still call on Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland to shoulder the load in Perth, while waiting for one, or perhaps two, of their Big T"
Ashes history carries 143 years of tradition, controversy and anxiety for both Australia and England, shaping expectations and emotional responses. Australia enters the upcoming series as the ICC's top-ranked Test team and is favored to win a fourth consecutive home Ashes despite missing key bowlers. The current Australian side lacks some of the century's best but remains experienced and well-rounded on home soil. England's recent record in Australia is poor, with no wins across the last 15 Tests on three tours. Injuries have sidelined Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, leaving Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland to lead the attack.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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