Brunt has Australia in sights ahead of Ashes test

THERE is no better time for tough talking than the build-up to an Ashes series.

Two of sport's fiercest rivals, whose relationship exists on grudging respect, is not an environment for life's pleasantries.

Katherine Brunt knows this, knows it all too well. It is why the 25-year-old pace bowler from Barnsley needs little encouragement when prompted to taunt her opponents.

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"I think the Aussies are really intimidated by me at Test match level," she says ahead of her departure with the England squad later this month for a month-long tour of Australia which includes a one-Test Ashes series in Sydney on January 22.

"I'm an aggressive bowler, I like to get stuck in," she adds.

"I've got a lot energy and a lot of aggression to come out."

The aggression is of the pent-up variety, after Brunt missed last month's tour to Sri Lanka to help the healing process of a damaged wrist and concentrate on preparing for the Aussies.

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The confidence in the effect she has on Australian batswomen comes from her pedigree as one of the finest opening bowlers in women's cricket.

Twenty-one wickets in just three matches against Australia is her best return in a burgeoning career that's six Tests to date says more about the favouring of the shorter formats in the women's game than anything about Brunt's longevity since she debuted at Scarborough in 2004.

She has also tormented the hosts in the one-day format, taking eight wickets in nine outings against the old enemy in the 50-over format and six wickets in three Twenty20 internationals.

In the past two years she has helped England to the top of the women's game, with the crowning achievements their World Cup win in Australia in March 2009 and the World Twenty20 victory on home soil three months later.

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Brunt has also stepped up her own game, improving the speed of her deliveries from an average of 69mph to between 74 and 75mph in just 18 months.

"They know how dangerous I can be," says Brunt as England prepare to defend the urn they won in 2007/08 and retained in 2009.

"Test cricket seems to be my best format. I get to bowl a lot of overs which helps and I always do well.

"I get a lot more out of the red ball than the white because it swings more and cuts in more.

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"I wish we were playing more Test matches in Australia. We only need a draw but it would be much more exciting if it was a three- or four-Test series."

Instead she will have to content herself with the one Test, which is preceded by two warm-up games, three ODI and five T20's from January 2 onwards.

And by the time she gets to rip into the Aussie top order in Sydney she hopes to have established a new collection of victims, having seen so many of her previous targets hang up their gloves.

"I used to have a trio of people that I wanted to get out but they've all retired, so I've got new meat to move onto now," says Brunt, who has the reigning ICC women's player of the year in her sights.

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"I respect Shelley Nitschke, she's a great all-rounder. She's a left-handed opener and I like bowling at left-handers so I'd like to target her.

"If I can get at the top order it gives us a great platform to go on and win games."

Brunt's bombast is all said with the confidence that the five tendons she damaged in her wrist will not cause her too much discomfort Down Under.

She has delayed surgery on the injury until she returns – "there is absolutely no way I am missing this series" – and stayed at home while her team-mates toured the sub-continent in November to focus on strength and conditioning work.

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"To be honest I probably shouldn't be going," she adds. "I know the pain in my wrist won't stop until I have the operation. My wrist and back were hurting towards the end of the summer but I've worked really hard over the last few months and the medical staff know I can make it through the series while performing at my best.

"It's all about maintaining the pain and I'm confident the injury will not hinder my bowling in any way.

"I've had to hold myself back recently but it's all aimed at making me a better player.

"I did a lot of weight training and I feel fitter and stronger than I have ever been.

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"This tour is going to be brilliant for me because I've been kept in for that long."

Brunt will be joined in Australia by Yorkshire's Danielle Hazell, with the side captained by Charlotte Edwards.

Women's ashes 2011 diary dates

England women in Australia (all times local)

Wednesday, 5 January, 1st ODI Perth, 10.00am

Friday, 7 January, 2nd ODI Perth, 2.30pm

Sunday, 9 January, 3rd ODI Perth, 10.00am

Wednesday, 12 January, 1st T20 Adelaide Oval, 2.00pm

Friday 14 January, 2nd T20 Melbourne MCG, 2.35pm

Sunday, 16 January, 3rd T20, Canberra, 12.05pm

Monday, 17 January, 4th T20, Canberra, 3.05pm

Tuesday, 18 January, 5th T20, Canberra, 3.05pm

Saturday 22-Tuesday 25, January, Ashes Test, Sydney Bankstown, 10.30am