ASHES legend Ian Botham believes England will flog Australia in the battle for the old urn this summer, and says out-of-favour batsman Kevin Pietersen will be a match-winning star when he returns “with a sting in his tail”.
Botham insists the Ashes will be one-way traffic, and has no fear in tipping England’s rejuvenated band of cricketers to win the series by at least two Tests.
The great former all-rounder, who has watched England’s progress closely in his job as a television commentator, has been impressed with the team’s skill, but more particularly their team unity through the challenging times of their controversial home series against Pakistan.
“I think England will win the Ashes and I think they might win it in a bit of style,” Botham predicted.
“I do think they could win it by two Tests, which would be magnificent. There’s a real chance of it.
“England’s preparation is good – they have got at least a few (warm-up) games in Australia – and their team spirit is magnificent.
They have had a very hard last couple of months here with everything that has been going on against Pakistan.
“But they’ve come through that well, and Andrew Strauss as captain has conducted himself with dignity in a very tough time and that has rubbed off on the team. I think England will win it and I think they will win it well.”
Botham expects the brash Pietersen to be one of England’s key trump cards during the Ashes, and has tipped him to rebound strongly from being dumped from the limited-overs squads.
He says Australia should be wary that Pietersen has opted to go back to his roots and play for South African provincial side Natal to get some vital first-class practice in the lead-up to the Ashes.
“Being left out will have hurt his pride, and quite rightly,” Botham said.
“I think you will find Kevin Pietersen will come back with a sting in the tail and Australia will be thinking that as well.”
The last time England won in Australia was when Mike Gatting captained them to a famous win in 1986-87, but Botham believes Ricky Ponting’s current side is nothing like its champion predecessors.
He claimed the Poms had to fight fire with fire to enjoy a rare success Down Under.
“England is going to have to be at their best mentally for Australia … it’s a hostile environment and there will be a lot of aggression both on and off field,” Botham said.
“That’s the Aussie way, and as long as you enjoy it and rise to it, which I’m sure these guys will now, then I don’t see them having too many problems.” (The Heraldsun)