London: England captain Nasser Hussain insisted on Wednesday that his side could beat Australia when the teams meet in the Ashes.
Australia has won seven successive Test series against its oldest opponents, England's last Ashes campaign victory coming in 1986-87 under Mike Gatting. But Hussain, speaking at the launch of England's tour blazer, remained positive. "Things like that are there to be broken. When we went off to the sub- continent facts like that were thrown at our team and we turned that round." Hussain has often spoken of his desire to 'compete' with the world champions but he maintained that England could do more than that on this tour of Australia. "The old days of going out to compete are gone. We've got to get on with it and look at ways of beating them rather than telling everyone how good they are. "There are field settings and tactics you can beat Australia with. It's up to me as captain and Duncan Fletcher as a coach to work that out as soon as possible," Hussain, 34, explained. And Hussain said it was vital he set the right tone from the beginning of the series. "I've got to try to captain in a positive, aggressive sort of manner. Rather than go out and say you (Australia) are great, whatever you want is fine by us and we worship you lot. "Everyone knows Australia is a great side. But I don't see why you should be intimidated by it. It plays really tough but you get a great deal of enjoyment from doing well against it. "The one thing that is intimidating is its style of cricket. I hope everyone is ready for it." However, Hussain's optimistic talk was tempered by Darren Gough's revelation that he might not be fit for the first two Tests of the series. Hussain has repeatedly said England is a better side with Gough than without him. Hussain, while understanding of Gough's situation admitted his comments were not ones he wanted to hear in the build-up to the Ashes. "When the side was selected, we knew Darren wouldn't be getting off the flight and straight into 100 percent cricket. He needs rehab like every fast bowler coming back from major injury. Obviously, it's disappointing to hear him - and it might have been Darren being a pessimist because he had a rough year - ruling himself out of the first two Test matches. "I want each individual player believing that the purpose of them being out there is to be fit and playing for England, not a 'wait and see' sort of attitude. Whatever Gough's fitness worries, England will definitely be without premier middle- order batsman Graham Thorpe's following his u-turn on touring. "I hope at some stage he will be back playing for England," said Hussain. "He has always been able to turn on a switch and get runs as long as he is mentally right. His biggest challenge is to get mentally right for cricket." However, Hussain warned said Thorpe would not be automatically selected as soon as he was available. "Graham has a lot to do to show he means business and that means getting runs for Surrey next season. "He will be missed but the Graham Thorpe issue is closed." Hussain has off-field problems of his own to worry about. His wife, Karen, is expecting the birth of their second child on November 20, in between the first and second Tests. She is flying out with her husband and their son Jacob to Australia on Thursday and Hussain said, "From what I saw of the first one it will be fairly easy for me to be honest. I don't think I've got anything to worry about." Extras:
Hussain expresses disappointment over Gough's fitness
Gough admits he is doubtful for the first Ashes Test
Tags: cricket, london, england captain nasser hussain, australia, ashes, mike gatting, duncan fletcher, darren gough, graham thorpe.
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