DEFEAT TO TURN UP ASHES HEAT
AUSTRALIA insist a gutting World Cup semi-final loss to England will not create any mental scars in the Ashes, with Pat Cummins believing the defeat will only add more fire in the belly.
Justin Langer’s team knocked off the tournament hosts in the group stage but England turned the tables in spectacular fashion, ending Australia’s campaign with a clinical eight-wicket win.
The contest unfolded at Edgbaston, the same venue where the five-test series begins on August 1.
Langer and national selectors, yet to finalise what is likely to be a 16-man squad for the Ashes, will now quickly turn their full attention to plotting Australia’s first Test series win in the UK since 2001.
The pitch, players and plans of both teams will obviously change in coming weeks as they swap white balls for red balls, with England facing Ireland in a oneoff Test at Lord’s while Australia confront Australia A in a virtual selection trial at Southampton.
Limited-overs captain Aaron Finch, who could feature in the Southampton tune-up but is fully expected to miss out on a Test recall, dismissed the suggestion that England gained not only a World Cup final berth but a psychological edge in the Ashes.
“There will be a high turnover of players,” Finch said.
“I don’t think that the guys carry too much baggage when you are going between formats.”
England’s Test skipper Joe Root, who finished 49 not out on Thursday, argued the result was proof his team does not fear Australia.