THE home dressing room at Rishton cricket club could become the toughest place to be for Daniel Salpietro over the next few weeks as England and Australia collide in the Ashes – but the class act spinner wouldn’t have it any other way as he ‘takes ownership’ of the job of defending his country.
And the affable Salpietro is already licking his lips ahead of the renewal of the world’s greatest cricket rivalry – even though if things start to go wrong for Australia he will have to cop the flak not only from his Rishton team-mates but also the entire Lancashire League with comments guaranteed from all quarters.
Whereas in previous Ashes summers there have been a whole host of Australians playing as professionals around the league, this year is different and the 25-year-old is the only Aussie in the competition.
And he knows that means he will be the target for any dressing room jibes – as well as those from the opposition and spectators – if England start to romp away with the series.
“The Rishton boys are not too slow to give me any comments about cricket, rugby, football, you name it, they comment” laughed Salpietro. “So I think I know what to expect – and I might be able to give a little bit back as well.
“It’s a little bit surprising that there are no other Australians over in the Lancashire League this year – but the lack of Aussies makes me step up and I am more than happy to take on the ownership for Australia this year.
“The rivalry between England and Australia is truly special in any sport. The attitudes are very similar at times and that makes for great sport.
“I am getting to that age now where you feel it; it really hurts when we lose to England – but you have to get on with it.
“Sport goes in cycles and Australia had their many, many years of Ashes domination not too long ago while England are having a decent time of things just now – but that’s the beauty of any sport.”
The Victorian Bushranger, who has also played Big Bash cricket for the Adelaide Strikers, admits his men face a tough test if they are to have any chance of regaining the Urn – the smallest but one of the most prized trophies in sport – but he believes the recent backroom overhaul will be a good thing for the Aussies.
Coach Micky Arthur was fired and replaced by Darren Lehman a fortnight ago but rather than leading to uncertainty in the dressing room, Salpietro believes that has brought everyone in camp Australia together.
“I have caught up with a couple of guys who have a real insight into what’s going on and the Darren Lehman appointment is a good one,” he said.
“It’s given a real buzz to not only the players but to people back home and now everyone is getting really excited about the series.
“Everyone knows what Lehman is about. He was a great competitor and a winner and he’s going to bring that straight to the dressing room and the players will take so much from him.
“Lehman is a bloke’s bloke and maybe that’s what’s needed. He is a hardened cricketer, the mould of Steve Waugh.
“Maybe that’s what’s been missing in Australian cricket for a while – but that character certainly won’t be missing now.
“A lot of people in Australia were looking at this series and thinking it may be a 5-0 whitewash for England.
“And maybe I was thinking a little bit that way as well, if I am being honest.
“But the Lehman appointment has closed the gap between the teams – I’m not saying we are now going to win but I am optimistic that the series will be a lot closer than a lot of people think.”
Salpietro believes that one of his team-mates from back home could be key when the series gets underway at Trent Bridge, even though he is a one Test wonder and 35.
“Chris Rogers may be the man who can make a huge difference to the series,” Salpietro said.
“He’s a good friend of mine from back home and he is a good player. People know he has been picked because of his record in England but he also has a phenomenal record back in Australia and I think he can be a big performer.
“Obviously you look at the batting and the big players are going – and I put Rogers in there with them too.
“Bringing the experienced men in can only help the youngsters.
“If you look at the bowlers James Pattinson is hungry and quick, Peter Siddle does what he does and does it well and Mitchell Starc will swing the ball.
“You guys have put question marks over spinner Nathan Lyon but if the quicks are firing he will do a job.
“He won’t do a Graham Swann and win a Test match but he will do a good shift.
“On the batting front Phil Hughes has nothing to lose.
“The English perceive him to be not good enough but there is something in his record that says he is good enough – and he can change things.”
Salpietro is relishing the series and can’t wait for the Old Trafford Test next month –but before then it’s all about Wednesday.
“I think I’ll be watching it in a Walkabout,” he said, “There will be me and a couple of other Aussies – and a West Indian is going to come along to support us as well.
“So at least there we won’t be outnumbered.”
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