Only a win would compensate for last time’s 0-5 rout: Strauss

LONDON - The England cricket team Friday left for the away Ashes series against Australia and captain Andrew Strauss said only a series win would wipe out the bad memories of the 0-5 whitewash the last time they toured Down Under.

The team will first arrive in Perth where they are scheduled to play the first warm-up game against Western Australia Nov 7.

Before the departure, Strauss said the Australian team at home is always a tough side to beat and the atmosphere on the field has always been intense.

“Until the end of fifth Test the two teams will be at war with each other, said Strauss.

There is no point being too friendly with the opposition. Our task is to go out there and try to beat them, he said.

England Cricket managing director Hugh Morris acknowledged that the Australian tour is always a challenge but is confident of his team retaining the Ashes.

“It is going to be a big challenge. All teams that go to Australia find it tough,” Morris said.

The Ashes started in 1877 and Morris said, “Every time we play Australia, it is very, very competitive.”

“It will not be a war but a very, very competitive series,” he said.

Captain Strauss said only a win could compensate for the last time’s humiliating 0-5 whitewash in the away series.

“The only time that 0-5 loss will be wiped out of the record books is if we go out there and win this time, so that is our challenge,” Strauss said.

England won the last Ashes series at home 2-1.

“You are only remembered if you are a winner and that is what we are out there to do,” Strauss summed up.

The first Test starts Nov 25 in Brisbane.