‘England can end Brisbane domination’
5-1 Held up behind, headway 3 out, challenged before next, ridden and every chance last, no extra in 3rd final 100 yards, 3rd of 11, 4 1/2l behind One For Billy at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs. 11-10fav Held up in touch, mistake 4 out, challenging when not fluent 2 out, 2 lengths down on last bend, closed last, challenged flat, led close home, won at Hereford 2m 6f mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan beating Lamanver Odyssey by hd, 8 ran. 7-1 Led to 3rd, remained prominent, lost place 7th, weakened and pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Bendomingo at Warwick 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in May, 11 ran.
4-1 Disputed lead until led 2nd, clear next, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 7, 38l behind Fixed Rate at Fakenham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Oct. 9-1 Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, chased leaders 2 out, stayed on after last, never a threat, 3rd of 17, 12l behind Steely Addition at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct. 11-2 Tracked leader, jumped right into rival 1st, 2nd 6th until before 11th, ridden 13th, weakened before 4 out, tailed off, 4th of 5, well behind Lovely Job at Uttoxeter 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Jun. 11-1 Held up mid-division, weakened after 4 out, 11th of 12, well behind Ballymountain Boy at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Sep. 20-1 Behind, mistake 8th, struggling 12th, never dangerous, mistake last, 6th of 8, 43l behind Ready Token at Warwick 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in May ‘16.
MOEEN Ali believes England can end Australia’s long unbeaten run at the Gabba by defeating their hosts there for the first time in three decades.
Seven Ashes tours have come and gone since England last Test win in Brisbane, Mike Gatting’s team prevailing by seven wickets after a century from man-of-the-match Ian Botham.
That was in November 1986 and Australia have been unbeaten against any Test side at the venue since West Indies emerged victorious in 1988.
Moeen, however, claims Joe Root’s men are capable of breaking the mould, with the opening ball being bowled in the early hours of tomorrow morning.
“I think there’s genuine confidence we can win here,” said the all-rounder. “It’s going to be tough for us. (But) records are there to be broken, and we hope we can do that.”
England salvaged a morale-boosting draw in the first Test in Brisbane seven years ago, the springboard for a famous series victory under Andrew Strauss.
But they were overwhelmed on their last visit, largely by Mitchell Johnson - an occasion which Moeen witnessed at first hand, as a spectator on a day off from his tour duties with England Lions.
“Last time we didn’t play so well as a team, and there was one guy who was outstanding with the ball,” he said. “I was here with the Lions last time, watching that game. It was amazing to see.”
If England are to shock their hosts in Brisbane they will have to do so without Ben Stokes, still at home waiting to hear if he will be charged after a late-night fracas in Bristol eight weeks ago.
Stokes is fit again, after breaking his hand, and has been demonstrating his well-being with a series of socialmedia posts of his training in the Durham nets.
Moeen, who has sent a long-distance ‘sledge’ back to his team-mate, admits England are not expecting him to join them any time soon, and insists too the Stokes saga will not put them off their game against Australia.
He said: “I saw him bowling. I told him that’s getting hit for six any day!
“We don’t know what’s going on, but it’s not a distraction.
“There’s every chance he won’t be here at all. If he comes it would be a massive bonus for all of us.”
Danni Wyatt scored England’s first Twenty20 International century to help her side chase a record 179 and draw the multi-format Women’s Ashes series.
Beth Mooney hit an unbeaten 117, the second-highest score in women’s T20s, as Australia posted an imposing total of 178-2.
Wyatt hit two sixes and 13 boundaries in a 139-run stand with Heather Knight (51) to rescue England from 30-3 and win by four wickets .
Australia had already retained the Women’s Ashes, but the series ended 8-8.