Justin Langer column

Langer's guide to the pull shot

By Justin Langer Australia Test batsman

The first ball of the Ashes series can't come quickly enough.

The media circus may be in full throttle but I know that opinion, prediction and speculation counts for little when both teams take to the field in Brisbane on Thursday.

And, if the first session of play at the Gabba is anything like the first session at Lord's the last time we met, then this eagerly awaited contest will be everything it is being built up to be.

Langer gets some ducking practice from short-pitched balls ahead of the Ashes

Back then, Stephen Harmison's first ball was a text-book perfect delivery which rocketed into the gloves of Geraint Jones.

The thud of leather on leather and the look in Harmison's eyes was a sure sign of a confident and resurgent England who were ready for business.

History now records one of the great Test match series of all time and while the result didn't go as we would have liked, the stage was set for a brutal second round where both teams have plenty to play for.

England are talking a strong game as we would expect.

They hold the urn and believe that the confidence gained last time will hold them in good stead to retain the trophy.

Much has been made of England's problems with injuries and there is no doubt the loss of Marcus Trescothick, Michael Vaughan and Simon Jones will leave a hole in their side.

My sympathy goes out to Marcus who is obviously in a pretty bad way at the moment.

His leadership and partnership with Andrew Strauss will be missed by England and there is no doubt in my mind Australia are better off if he isn't out there in an England cap.

A journalist asked me if Steve Harmison is unable to play the first Test, would this take a bit of shine off the contest?

As far as I am concerned I don't care if Tony Blair or Robbie Williams bowl me the first ball of the Ashes series - all my team-mates and I care about is winning back the Ashes.

When the series begins there can be no excuses because this is the Ashes and excuses, like media speculation, will count for little.

With age comes enormous experience and expertise and I would challenge anyone to write off any of my team-mates Langer on Australia's "Dad's Army"

While England have been grilled on their injury problems, our build-up has centred more around the age of our team than anything else.

So much has been said about the "Dad's Army" taking on England.

My take on all this is that with age comes enormous experience and expertise and I would challenge anyone to write off any of my team-mates.

Regardless of age I have incredible confidence in Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Matthew Hayden, Damien Martyn and Adam Gilchrist because they have been champions over and over again.

They are all at the peaks of their games and while it may take us a little longer to loosen up in the mornings, I have never seen any of these guys in better physical or mental shape.

While England completed their preparations against South Australia, we arrived in Queensland to set ourselves up for the first Test.

This is always a great week and considering it has been five months since our last Test match the atmosphere is like those youthful nights leading up to Christmas Day.

From Brisbane, JL