London: Australia's fast bowlers hold the key to which way this year's Ashes will go, feels former Australian cricketer, captain and noted commentator Richie Benaud.
In an article for The News of The World, Benaud believes England would be indulging in wishful thinking if it thought their spinners could make Australian batters dance to their wiles.
"Nothing makes my heart beat faster than the thought of spin bowling dominating an Ashes series.
Wishful thinking, however, has provided many problems for over-the-wrist spinners and orthodox finger-spinners over the 56 years I have been playing and watching England and Australia do battle," Benaud said and claimed.
According to Benaud, England off-spinner Jim Laker (1956) and Australian leg spinner Shane Warne (1993-2007) have been the benchmarks for both forms of spin.
"But I believe this time swing will dominate. As was the case in 2005, the skill of the swing bowlers will provide the main difficulty for the batsmen. I'm confident the Australian pace bowlers will carry on from that splendid series in South Africa and, led by Mitchell Johnson and with Brett Lee shaping well, they hold the key to victory," Benaud said.
