Confident skipper Ponting rallies Aussies for Ashes opener

AUSTRALIA captain Ricky Ponting is confident his team will not repeat their mistakes of four years ago when they begin their defence of the Ashes today.

Despite excellent contributions from veterans Shane Warne – who claimed 40 wickets in the series – and Glenn McGrath – with 19 victims in just three appearances – the Australians could not avert a 2-1 defeat.

Although the current crop have far less experience than their 2005 predecessors, however, Ponting is anticipating a better collective effort.

“What I am demanding of our team is we have an even contribution from all of our players,” said Ponting, ahead of today’s opening Test in Cardiff.

“As we saw in 2005, you can have a couple of stand-out guys and still not win.

“Obviously I want some of the guys to have some of the best series of their careers but I want all of us to be able to contribute at different times. That is what made us as successful as we were in South Africa recently.

“There is no doubt there is a lot of hunger within the group to build on things we felt we started there. Our level of play there was exceptionally high and we want to maintain that through the next couple of months.”

Australia, whose 2-1 away win over the Proteas earlier this year confirmed their place on top of the world Test rankings, must be successful on this trip to retain their spot. They have spent a month honing their skills and analysing England’s strengths and weaknesses and Ponting said: “We want to win the series. There is a great hunger around the group.

“We know what brand of cricket we need to play and know what to expect from the English, so all in all you will see another exciting and highly dramatic Test-match series.”

Ponting is one of only four men on the trip to have played Test cricket in Britain before and one of those, Brett Lee, is missing the start of the campaign.

However, the Australians are refusing to rule out fast bowler Lee, who has a side injury, beyond the opening contest.

“No-one has written off his chances of playing in the second Test just yet,” said Ponting.

“We will keep our fingers crossed he will be back sooner rather than later.”

In his absence, Australia will have to choose between swing bowler Ben Hilfenhaus, spinner Nathan Hauritz and all-rounder Andrew McDonald for the final place in their XI.

Meanwhile Andrew Strauss leads out England hoping to follow in the footsteps of illustrious captains like Michael Vaughan, Mike Gatting and David Gower in winning the Ashes.

“It’s a huge moment,” admitted Strauss. “It’s a massive honour and if we’re successful it will live with me forever, but now is not the time to get emotional – now is the time to go out and do our jobs.”

Strauss has declared England will stand toe to toe with Australia, but not at the expense of their cricket strategy.

“You need to play positive cricket against Australia, you need to give as good as you get, but I don’t want it to descend into a slagging match and I don’t think it will do,” said Strauss.

“It’s more a body language thing and being prepared to stand up and be counted. It’s about guys going out and doing their job and being focused and controlled.”

The search for control is expected to be underlined by England’s selection with Monty Panesar and Swann expected to be chosen as a twin spin option ahead of spare seamer Onions while extra batsman Ian Bell has been released to play for Warwickshire.