“England will have a slight advantage due to home conditions”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Even though England were whitewashed 5-0 in the last Ashes series, Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi believes that they have the upper hand over Australia this time around as they will be playing on home soil.

Afridi’s point is backed up by the fact that Australia have not won an Ashes series in England since 2001. But, after having whitewashed the West Indies 2-0, Australia skipper Michael Clarke believes that the drought will end this year.

But, Afridi has his doubts, and told the Cricket Australia website: “England will have advantage of playing in home conditions. Their bowlers know a thing or two about bowling in England. If you notice they have always bowled better in England as compared to other countries.

“They may have struggled in the One-Day Internationals (ODI) lately (against New Zealand) but in Tests we can expect a good contest from them. I can’t pick one team as favourite to win the Ashes but I think England will have a slight advantage due to home conditions.”

However, Afridi believes that England will have their hands full trying to deal with Clarke as the Australian captain, in Afridi’s opinion, is one of the hardest batsmen to dismiss.

“I think Michael Clarke was the best Australian batsman I bowled to,” he added. “It is because his footwork against spin is extremely good.”