Improved Aussies look to turn it around

associated press
Chester-Le-Street, 8 August
Stung by accusations of cheating and embarrassed by the off-field antics of a squad member, it’s hardly been the most comfortable of weeks for England since retaining the Ashes.
And an improving Australia is threatening to make life much trickier when the fourth test starts at Chester-le-Street on Friday.
The tourists are 2-0 down with two matches remaining and have to wait until the return series in Australia at the end of the year for a chance to reclaim the urn. But such was their dominance of the drawn third test at Old Trafford that squaring the series is a realistic target for Michael Clarke’s side. "I think England will be taking the positive that they are 2-0 up in the series and can’t lose the Ashes but I think the way we played in Manchester has built some momentum for us," Clarke said Thursday, "and plenty of confidence is flowing in our camp.
After the lows of Lord’s, when the Australians capitulated to a 347-run loss in the second test, came the optimism of Old Trafford. Their misfiring batsmen finally got in the runs, with Clarke hitting a brilliant 187 and both Steve Smith and Chris Rogers falling just short of centuries.
If it wasn’t for rain over the final two days, the likelihood is that this series would still be alive.

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