3 days ago
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Former Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has continued the Ashes mind games by questioning whether England are good enough to seize the big moments across the five-Test series.
Speaking to the Daily Mail in Perth on Thursday where he took part in a giant tissue promotion for Sportsbet, the 48-year-old pointed to Australia's ominous home form across countless summers - and forecast a 3-1 win for the locals.
'We are generally hard to beat on our decks, and I can't see that changing,' Haddin said as he bantered with ex-English spinner Graeme Swann.
'I think guys like Alex Carey and Travis Head are primed for a huge showing, they have been there before and know what it takes to win... and like many of their experienced teammates, they recognise key moments.
'I also love the fierce rivalry between both nations, but it is built off mutual respect.
'For me as an ex-player now working for Triple M, the build-up has been great, everyone can't wait for the first ball.'
Former Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin (pictured left) has continued the Ashes mind games by questioning whether England are good enough to seize the big moments across the five-Test series
Speaking to the Daily Mail in Perth where he took part in a giant tissue promotion for Sportsbet with England legend Graeme Swann (pictured), Haddin pointed to Australia's home form across countless summers as a crucial factor
Swann (pictured, middle) told the Daily Mail winning the 2010-2011 Ashes series in Australia was one of his career highlights
Naturally, Swann had a different view, predicting the visitors will hoist the urn after winning the series 3-1.
'We have the players to win...but winning the first Test is pivotal,' the 46-year-old said.
'The atmosphere will be intimidating, but my advice to the lads is to soak it in and kill the Aussies with kindness.
'The crowd will look for a villain...they tend to go after players they fear, so it will be interesting to see who is targeted.'
To 'welcome' the England cricket team and their fans Down Under for The Ashes, Sportsbet cheekily unveiled a gigantic box of tissues in Perth on Thursday.
The 4.5-metre-high monument celebrates the time-honoured tradition of the Poms whingeing about everything.
It is a seemingly endless list - the rules of the game which they wrote themselves, the new ball, bouncy pitches or of course 'moral victories.'
Personalised boxes of tissues will be sent to some of England's biggest whingers, notably Piers Morgan, Kevin Pietersen and Jonny Bairstow.
Play begins on Friday at Perth's Optus Stadium from 1:20pm AEDT, with live coverage on Channel 7 and Fox Cricket.
