Darren Gough backing Australia to win the Ashes - unless Harry Brook shines
DARREN GOUGH believes that Harry Brook is the only man standing between Australia and another Ashes win.
The former England fast bowler has identified the Yorkshire batsman as key to the tourists’ chances this winter.
“It kills me to say I think Australia will win the series,” said Gough.
“The one person who could change that scoreline for me is Harry Brook.
“I think if Harry Brook has a good Ashes, we win it 3-2, but I’m going to go for a 3-2 Australia win.”
Gough, speaking in his role as a Ladbrokes ambassador, feels that much will depend on the first Test in Perth.
“I think that’s such an important game – not just because it's the first one, but because the second one is a day-night Test,” he said.
“That second Test in Brisbane, for me, is a toss of a coin; luck will play a huge part in it, in terms of when you're going to be bowling, what the conditions are going to be like.
“So, if you don't get off to a good start in that first Test, and you're on the wrong end of it in the second, which could easily happen, all of a sudden you could be 2-0 down and it's as good as over.”
Gough is hoping Joe Root breaks his hundred duck Down Under for two reasons.
“First, people are going to question that greatest of all-time claim, and also it means we're going to have to see Matthew Hayden running around the SCG naked (as the former Australia player has promised to do should Root fail in his quest), which I'm not too keen on seeing, I must admit.
“He looks like Buzz Lightyear as it is.”