Aussies take aim at England's bid for history

Australia hope their impregnable record at the Gabba will help them seize early momentum as they bid to stop England completing their best Ashes run in 123 years from tomorrow.
Michael Clarke's team went down 3-0 just three months ago in England, leaving them in danger of losing four Ashes series in a row -- a fate they have not suffered since 1890.
However, Australia now appear more settled and they will also take heart from their performances at Brisbane's Gabba ground, where they are unbeaten in a quarter of a century.
Australia have not lost on the famously fast, bouncy pitch since 1988, against a Viv Richards-led West Indies, and England's last win there was under Mike Gatting in 1986.

While history favours the hosts, a Brisbane victory by Alastair Cook's England would deal psychological damage to a team trying to rebuild after a long slump.
However Australia, strengthening under coach Darren Lehmann, believe they may now be ready to end England's run of wins in 2009, 2010-2011 and earlier this year.

England's 3-1 victory in 2010-2011 was their first in Australia for 24 years, pointing to a much tighter contest than the July-August Tests.
England did not reach 400 in the last series, yet mastered the Australians with inspired spells in the key moments at Trent Bridge, Lord's, Chester-Le-Street and The Oval.

All-rounder Shane Watson, who must overcome a hamstring injury to play in the first Test, believes Australia need test the endurance of England's four-man bowling attack.
"That is the way we are going to win the Ashes," Watson said.
"As a batting unit we are going to bat for a long period of time, especially in the first couple of Tests. We will see where they are at physically and mentally. That is one of our biggest goals.
"We have no doubt they will keep coming but at what level? We haven't been able to challenge that level. Keep them coming back, get them fatigued and try to keep them that way as well. Don't let them off by batting badly and getting a rest.