adminBut the manner in which Australia competed in Nottingham suggests Ashes-holders England will not have things all their own way.
Just when Australia thought they’d put the departure of sacked former coach Mickey Arthur behind them however, the row over the South African’s controversial exit has been reignited in spectacular fashion. Arthur, fired just 16 days before the Ashes, is taking legal action against Cricket Australia.
He is seeking up to Aus$4 million (US$3.69 million) in compensation, claiming he was discriminated against because he was South African and “didn’t understand the Australian way”.
According to Australian broadcaster Channel Seven, the legal documents also reveal a major rift in the team between captain Michael Clarke and former vice-captain Shane Watson.
Clarke allegedly described the role of Watson, one of four players dropped by Arthur for the third Test in Mohali in March, as a “cancer”. The South African called himself the “meat in the sandwich” between the conflicting camps.
Probable teams
England: Alastair Cook (capt), Joe Root, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Jonny Bairstow, Matt Prior (wkt), Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, Steven Finn, James Anderson, Tim Bresnan, Graham Onions
Australia: Shane Watson, Chris Rogers, Ed Cowan, Michael Clarke (capt), Phil Hughes, Steven Smith, Brad Haddin (wkt), Peter Siddle, James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc, Ashton Agar, Usman Khawaja, Jackson Bird
Umpires: Kumar Dharmasena (SRI), Marais Erasmus (RSA)
TV umpire: Tony Hill Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (SRI). — AFP.
Online Reporter