Stewart: England can reclaim the Ashes
Posted: Wednesday October 21, 1998 08:54 PM
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Gaining confidence: Stewart said England will build off its five-test series win over South Africa Stephen Munday/Allsport |
LONDON (Reuters) - England's captain Alec Stewart insisted on Wednesday that his touring team could tear up the form book and bring the Ashes back from Australia.
Stewart said as his side prepared to fly from Heathrow Airport: "I always back any team I'm in to do well and this one is no different.
"Australia have had the Ashes for [nearly] 10 years and it's about time we brought them home."
England won its first five-test series in 12 years when they beat South Africa 2-1 in the recent English season, and Stewart said it was vital to build on that success.
"We know we can compete at this level. We did it against South Africa but the Australians are the best team in the world so we'll have to improve on that performance."
Stewart added that he intended to continue keeping wicket and batting at number four in the tests.
Tour manager and former England captain Graham Gooch said: "We want to be the best and most respected team in world cricket and to do that we need to beat Australia.
"English cricket has been on a rollercoaster. We want to stop that and make progress.
"It's vital we do well in the opening tests. On our last two tours to Australia we've lost the first two and it's vital we don't let the opposition get off to a flyer.
"Our record and performances speak for themselves. But we know we're capable of beating anyone. What we must do is match Australia as a unit because that's where they're very strong. We can't just rely on one or two players."
Gooch warned the players that excessive alcohol would not be tolerated on the tour.
"My view is that we're professional sportsmen. A glass of beer or wine after the match is fine but you've got to be able to do the job next day," Gooch said.
"If anyone steps out of line we'll tell them. The players have to act like grown-ups."
Gooch paid tribute to Australia's captain Mark Taylor whose 334 not out and 92 in the second test against Pakistan in Peshawar last week left him only 30 short of Gooch's world record aggregate for a test of 356, against India in 1990.
"To score a triple-century is a great achievement. Mark's had a tough time but fought through plenty of media criticism which shows what kind of a man he is," Gooch said.
Gooch said they wanted to beat the best Australian side, adding: "That's why I'm hoping Shane Warne will play."
The wrist spinner is recovering from shoulder surgery and may not be fit to face England.
Gooch insisted his players were not worried about what Warne or any of the Australians had done to England in the past.
"We've got to look to the future. In Ben Hollioake and Alex Tudor we've got two exciting prospects who will certainly be challenging for test places and, whatever happens, will be better players at the end of this trip," Gooch said.
"But it's not just about skill levels. We've got to match the Australians for togetherness and team spirit."
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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