Clarke's key to England winning the Ashes

While he concedes it is “extremely unlikely”, former Australia captain Michael Clarke says England will win the Magellan Ashes if they can defy recent history and secure victory in the opening Test in Brisbane.

The Gabba is a fortress for Australia, one that was last conquered by a foreign invader in 1988 when a Viv Richards’-led West Indies beat Allan Border’s young crop by nine wickets.

As for England, the last time they won at the Gabba was in 1986 due in large to an Ian Botham century and five-wicket hauls from Graham Dilley and John Emburey.

Since that win 21 years ago, England have played seven more Tests in the Queensland capital for five losses and two draws.

So, history is against Joe Root’s touring party.

But that is all in the past. What matters is the present and Clarke, the most recent Australia captain to inflict defeat on England at the ‘Gabbatoir’, says skipper Root and his predecessor Alastair Cook hold the key to success in the sunshine state.

Clarke says the only way win at the Gabba is for one of the visitors’ senior batsmen to stand up, post a mammoth total and stifle Australia’s impressive fast bowling unit.

“If I was England I’d be focused on the attack I had to face, that would be my concern,” Clarke told cricket.com.au at Wide World of Sports’ Magellan Ashes launch on Friday.

“Knowing that you’ve got (Josh) Hazlewood in top form and fit, (Mitchell) Starc bowling like a genius and (Pat) Cummins is a superstar, complemented with Nathan Lyon.

“If I was England that would be my focus, trying to find a way to be able to combat that and also to be able to dominate.

“You’ve got to be able to find a way to get on top of the bowlers.

“Will we see England come out and be aggressive and play positive or will we see them sit back.

“That’s why the first Test is so important. The first Test will dictate the series.

“If England win the first Test I think they will win the series.

“But it’s at the Gabba, it’s extremely unlikely unless someone like Alastair Cook or Joe root, the experienced player, really stands up and grinds the Australian bowlers into the ground, makes a big double hundred.

“It’s going to be tough for England at the Gabba because you’re going to see extra pace, bounce and movement and with those three (Australia) quicks it’s going to be good to watch.”

While history might be against England, Cook can look fondly back at England’s drawn Test in Brisbane seven years ago where he did just what Clarke demands.

Against Ricky Ponting’s troops, Cook amassed an epic 235no in 10 and a half hours to navigate England out of trouble and guide them to a draw in a successful Ashes series that would ultimately see him rack up 766 runs.

Time will tell if Cook can repeat his 2010-11 heroics, but Clarke is backing the hosts to regain the Ashes this summer.

“I think Australia will definitely win but I can’t see it being convincingly though.”

2017-18 International Fixtures

Magellan Ashes Series

First Test Gabba, November 23-27. Buy tickets

Second Test Adelaide Oval, December 2-6 (Day-Night). Buy tickets

Third Test WACA Ground, December 14-18. Buy tickets

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Buy tickets

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Buy tickets

ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Buy tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Buy tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Buy tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Buy tickets

Fifth ODI Perth TBC, January 28. Join the ACF

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Buy tickets

T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Buy tickets

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Buy tickets

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Buy tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 14

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21