Ashes 2019 Dates Confirmed as England Look to Regain the Urn

Published 04/24/2019, 10:47 AM EDT

The Ashes 2019 is just around the corner and England are seeking revenge for their defeat Down Under in 2017. The England Test squad, led by Joe Root were white-washed during the five-match series. They lost four matches and drew one, this including two losses by an innings and one loss by 10 wickets.

Fortunately, England have the home advantage as they brought home the urn in the last four Ashes in England. Now, with the Ashes 2019, also in England, the home side will be hoping to make it five home series wins in a row this summer.

Moving to the Australia camp, bowler Cameron Bancroft felt “completely accountable” for his role in the ball-tampering scandal. Bancroft copped a nine-month suspension after being caught red-handed trying to manipulate the ball. The incident took place during Australia’s third Test against South Africa in March 2018.

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Other repercussions included, captain Steve Smith and vice captain David Warner banned for a year. Bancroft said: “We all make mistakes and I guess it’s how you’re able to grow as a person, in admitting and being honest with yourself about those mistakes.

“I certainly have been and – as a person – that’s something that I’m completely accountable for and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Now, the humiliated Bancroft is deadset on reclaiming his spot in Australia’s Test side. He hopes to make it in time for the Ashes 2019 series in England. But for now,his focus is trained on county side, Durham.

Speaking at the Emirates Riverside, the Australian added: “The aspiration to play Test cricket is certainly in my mind and where I’d love to be one day. But I also can’t be there. I’m here right now.

“(Playing for Australia) would mean a lot to me, definitely. But I also know that I’ve got a lot of great things in my life.

“Even just playing club cricket back home in Perth, it’s a game I felt like where you get self-absorbed and single-minded in your pursuits to achieve things but at the forefront is just the enjoyment of it all.

“If I do that then I know the results will take off themselves, hopefully. Hopefully it will happen one day.”

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Dhruv George is a senior Formula One and NASCAR analyst for EssentiallySports, having authored nearly 12000 articles spanning different sports like F1, NASCAR, Tennis, NFL, and eSports. He graduated with a PG Diploma in Journalism from the Xavier Institute of Communications. Dhruv has also conducted interviews with F1 driver Pierre Gasly and Moto2 rider Tony Arbolino.