England have a number of key players in their 30's now. Source: AFP
FORMER Australian Test captain Ricky Ponting reckons England's Test team are slightly over the hill, but wicketkeeper Matt Prior begs to differ.
England have had the wood over Australia since 2009, and are favourites to secure a fourth straight Ashes series triumph this summer.
But with key players Kevin Pietersen, Jonathan Trott, Ian Bell, Matt Prior, Graeme Swann, James Anderson and Chris Tremlett all 31 or older, Ponting feels England's period of dominance may be coming to an end.
Ponting was 37 when he retired from Test cricket last summer.
But his form started wavering once he reached his early 30s, and he thinks some of England's players may soon experience the same fate.
However, Ponting acknowledges it will still be a huge challenge for Australia to come out on top this summer, and says it's crucial for them to win the first Test at the Gabba, starting November 21.
"I think the England team might be slightly past their absolute peak, and I think the Australian team is only going to go up,'' Ponting said.
"I just think they're getting to that stage where a lot of their guys ... are probably just tapering off a fraction.
"We have a great record at the Gabba. We don't lose at the Gabba.
"I'm not being unrealistic. I know this group of players (in the Australian Test squad) are going to have to play unbelievably well to win the Ashes. But I think they can.''
Australia will also be relying on their elder statesmen to get the job done this summer.
Opener Chris Rogers and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin are both 36, while paceman Ryan Harris is 34.
Skipper Michael Clarke, all-rounder Shane Watson, paceman Mitchell Johnson and Test aspirant George Bailey are all in their early 30s.
Prior said the experience of England's veterans would prove crucial on enemy territory.
"It's a huge advantage,'' Prior said.
"Coming over here, you've got the majority of the squad that know about playing cricket in Australia, and also know about winning in Australia, which is a huge thing and a great confidence boost.
"Immediately we go into our first net session and batters with experience of playing on wickets with more bounce are feeding back to the younger players.
"And with the bowlers - they already know the types of deliveries you need to bowl on Australian wickets.
"All of this information is immediately being filtered down, and you don't need to take the first week, 10 days, two weeks of getting into it and finding these things out.''
31 Oct, 2013
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Source: http://www.news.com.au/national/ricky-ponting-says-age-may-be-starting-to-catch-up-with-england-team-as-they-prepare-to-defend-ashes/story-e6frfkp9-1226750104578?from=public_rss
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