Cricket: Sorry, Poms .. the agony goes on

ONCE more you English think the Ashes are coming home after years of heartbreak and despair.

Well, I've got bad news for all you Poms - you're not about to get your little hands on them again.

Now that the real business is about to start and we've got the fun and fluffy stuff out of the way, you will see the real, tough and competitive side of the Aussie team.

There's been a lot of hype and chat about this Ashes campaign and what will or might happen - about 18 months of verbals.

But now all the talking, boasting and predictions have to stop. It's time for action.

We've started slowly. But now we're moving from cruise control to full speed ahead. One-day cricket is exciting but you just can't beat the sheer intensity, intrigue and international combat of the five-day battles.

There are many reasons why I believe we will be successful here again. First there are the three Ps. Patience, pressure and pace - three simple words which I believe will be the key to us keeping the Ashes.

We have been first class in putting all three into practice over the years, especially when it comes to making sure the English don't bounce back.

The patience is about waiting and waiting for the opposition to make the odd crucial mistake after we have supplied the extra bit of pace and the added slice of pressure.

All three add up to wickets, runs and taking a stranglehold on the opposition in what will be a very hotly contested and thrilling sporting occasion.

Personally I am chomping at the bit to get out there and get stuck into the English batting again. I've enjoyed plenty of success against the Poms in the past and I want to build up my Ashes victim tally.

The same goes for my team-mates. You can sense the excitement and extra adrenalin rushing through the bodies as the first morning at Lord's gets nearer.

Admittedly, England go into the Ashes with some fine bowlers and batsmen, plus some impressive Test results behind them.

They resemble a team with a real desire and hunger to succeed, led by a captain who is clearly getting the best from the bunch of players around him.

They have also chosen to go with a young, exciting and attacking player like Kevin Pietersen (right) rather than take the easier option of the tried, trusted and experienced Graham Thorpe. It proves the selectors are looking long term as well as at this new Ashes campaign.

That's the good news for England. The bad is that we have just hit some form at the perfect time.

We're just getting into that old groove just before the series starts at Lord's on Thursday.

England may have started the one-dayers strongly but we finished them the stronger and we're shifting into top gear. We've been cruising along - now it's time to pump up the speed.

Personally, I've had to take plenty of flak over the way I began the tour. And I must admit it wasn't the way I had hoped or planned to start over here.

But I've never hidden or run away from criticism during my career because I've always believed that if you're happy to take the praise and acclaim when things go right, you should be happy to accept the bullets when they don't.

It doesn't affect me because I keep myself away from it. My only concern right now is that I have managed to get a few wickets in the last few matches and now I'm fit and ready to give my all for Australia again.

I'm the proudest man on earth when I walk out there for my country - and where better to start this new series than at the so- called home of cricket?

Lord's is a special place, not just for Englishmen but also us visitors who have a habit of lifting our games that one per cent more and really walk out there desperate to perform.

England have a good record under Michael Vaughan, and we are taking their challenge for the Ashes very seriously.

But while they have shown they can win big games in places like South Africa and West Indies, they have to show they can handle the very special pressure which goes hand in hand with the Ashes.

It's a pressure that we Aussies have coped with and enjoyed for many years now - and we're relishing the chance to show off our mental and physical strengths again.

There will be a decent-sized Aussie fan club in St John's Wood, and the guys are anxious to give them plenty to shout about and celebrate.

The atmosphere will be electric and professional cricketers love nothing better than to perform in front of a packed, passionate crowd.

Yes, Lord's is going to be extra special - and we want to put on an extra-special first Test display.

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