While Australia’s Ashes celebrations appeared as comprehensive as the side’s victory over England, coach Darren Lehmann has already turned his full attention to the upcoming tour of South Africa.
In a column for news.com.au, Lehmann confirmed the Aussies’ aggressive approach would continue against the Proteas.
“One tactic which clearly worked well for us against England was bouncing their tail, and I see no reason why we won’t try it in South Africa,” wrote ‘Boof’, comparing the drier wickets in South Africa to those seen at home.
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Much like the West Indies sides of the 80s, Lehmann said targetting bowlers with short deliveries is an approach Australia will continue to employ.
“You need the right bowlers to (bowl successful short deliveries) and we were fortunate to have a pace attack who could push the speed gun to the 145kph and, in Mitchell Johnson’s case, comfortably beyond it.”
Australia’s Ashes campaign set a number of firsts in world class cricket; Michael Clarke and his men became the first Test team to win a series 5-0 with the same XI and the first side to set an opponent a target of 500 for victory three successive times.
While Australia are enjoying a long-awaited purple patch, the feeling among the deflated England side is far less pleasant.
Underwhelming batsman Kevin Pietersen fired back at reports by The Daily Mail that the tension between coach Andy Flower and the veteran batsman had reached an unbearable level.
Pietersen described the report by journalist Paul Newman as ‘lies’.
“I am shocked and saddened by reports in the media today concerning my future with England,” Pietersen said.
“I wish to repeat my strong desire to continue playing for my country, and to help us regain the Ashes in 2015.”
Pietersen has come under huge amounts of scrutiny for his play in the most recent series, stemming from text message scandal with members of the South African team in 2012.
The 33-year-old will have his future decided by managing director of England cricket, Paul Downton, who will conduct a review of the Ashes sweep. Should Flower be kept around, a complete overhaul is expected with a new emphasis placed on a youthful rebuild.
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