Alastair Cook says England are not intimidated by Australia ahead of Ashes opener
Wednesday 22 November 2017 17:17, UK
Alastair Cook says England do not fear the threat posed by Australia in the Ashes series.
Nathan Lyon claimed Australia paceman Mitchell Johnson had England running "scared" during the last Ashes series in 2013/14, and said wicketkeeper Matt Prior "wanted to fly home".
Cook said it is "really strange" that all the talking ahead of the first Test in Brisbane this week seems to be coming from the Australia camp and insists the hosts' bowling attack is not doing anything out of the ordinary.
"There's nothing we haven't seen before in cricket," Cook said.
"They're not suddenly bowling 150 miles an hour, they've not got magic balls which start way outside the stumps and swing miles and stuff.
"They're very good bowlers with good records. As batters, that is the challenge we've got in the next seven weeks."
Cook is the most experienced cricketer contesting this Ashes series and one of just five players in the squad who played in 2013/14.
He was captain when England were beaten 5-0 four years ago but does not think memories from that series - or the fact England have not won a Test at the Gabba since 1986 - will count for much after the first session of the series in Brisbane.
"England have won four of the last five Ashes series, so you can look at that what you want," Cook said.
Cook was encouraged by his 70 in a tour match in Townsville last week, and said he had been improving his timing and rhythm in each innings in Australia.
Moeen Ali, who has recovered from injury and is likely to bat at No 6 or 7, was similarly upbeat about England's prospects and was not interested in speculating on the return of Ben Stokes - who remains under police investigation after being arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm - or the banter coming from the Australian team.
"There's genuine confidence we can win here," Ali said. "It'll be great to come away with a win and get a good start to the series."
