Why KP could bring home the Ashes

England’s new captain could lead them to glory

It’s time to banish pessimism from the room and welcome his arch enemy optimism back to the table because Kevin Pietersen won his first test match as England captain. Of course, South Africa had nothing to play for because they’d already won the series but let’s just ignore that and drink in the good energy. Here’s why you should bet on England to win the Ashes:

» Sticking with Michael Vaughan would have been a bad decision - only twice since 1945 has anyone captained England to more than one Ashes victory.

» And the four men to captain England in more than one Ashes series since Mike Brearley’s third victory in 1981 have all lost their second series.

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» chickendinner superfact: England have won back-to-back home Ashes series on three occasions since 1945. On two of those occasions they switched captains between the two successes.
» Pietersen has been England’s top run-scorer in both of his previous Ashes. Australia’s top run-scorer in their 5-0 whitewash last year was captain Ricky Ponting.

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» Michael Vaughan was the top run-scorer in England’s away Ashes loss in 2002-03 prior to being made captain and leading England to the 2005 Ashes - could history repeat itself?

» England have won home Ashes series back-to-back on eight previous occasions.

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» Australia are going through a period of transition following the retirements of Shane Warne, Justin Langer, Damien Martyn and Glenn McGrath after the last Ashes series. They have also switched coach since then.

Posted: October 30th, 2008 by Michael Lintorn |