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'Friendly Ashes' to get underway at Gabba

Ed JacksonAAP
Ex-Australian captain Allan Border unveiled his statue at the Gabba on Tuesday ahead of the Ashes.
Camera IconEx-Australian captain Allan Border unveiled his statue at the Gabba on Tuesday ahead of the Ashes. Credit: AAP

With an Australian team desperate to be seen playing cricket the right way on the field, players who are teammates at franchise level on both sides and two good-guy captains - this series looms as the friendly Ashes.

The start of the first Test at the Gabba on Wednesday between Australia and England extends the longest rivalry in international cricket.

It's a contest which has had its fair share of acrimony for a concept started by a satirical obituary proclaiming the death of English cricket after an Australian victory in 1882.

Bodyline would make a national villain of English captain Douglas Jardine and created deep rifts between both nations in the 1930s and beyond.

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This summer's campaign, however, has little of that edge.

Australia have lost the fear factor that had so many touring teams beaten before a ball was bowled over the 1990s and 2000s and are almost under orders to play the game hard but fair after the fallout of the ball-tampering scandal in 2018.

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Then there are the captains, affable Yorkshireman Joe Root in the English corner and cultured, well-spoken Pat Cummins for Australia.

It's a far cry from Allan Border's leadership of the 1980s and early 90s when the left-handed batsman was given the moniker "Captain Grumpy" for his hard-edged approach.

Border, who helped unveil a statue of himself outside the Gabba on Tuesday, argues that nickname was largely undeserved and said there has always been an element of friendliness between the combatants in Ashes campaigns.

"One of my better mates out of cricket is Ian Botham - sorry, Lord Botham - and that doesn't happen if you're not friendly rivals," Border said.

"Out on the field, yeah, anything goes.

"But when you're off the field, he was one of the first guys in the dressing rooms - good day, bad day, didn't matter to have a beer with you.

"Those sort of friendships last the test of time and I'm sure these guys are the same.

"The current boys, you know that they'll go hammer and tongs out on the field. There'll be certain moments.

"But at the end of the day, they'll go have a beer together after it's all said and done."

Jos Buttler, who will be making his first appearance in an Ashes Test in Australia at the Gabba, said the circumstances of COVID were ensuring pleasantries between both teams were flowing free - for now.

"It has to be at the minute because we are sharing a hotel. That would be awkward lift conversations," Buttler said.

"There's two great men as leaders of teams.

"Over the years the way cricket has evolved international teams have got closer, haven't they? With franchise tournaments and sharing dressing rooms.

"I don't think it'll be any different in terms of competitiveness on the field."

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