Gough believes aussies streak can be broken

Veteran seamer Darren Gough believes England are ready to smash Australia’s one-day stranglehold when the old enemies meet again in the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy here tomorrow. World champions Australia have won the last 14 limited overs matches between the two teams and England’s last win was over five years ago, in January 1999 in Melbourne.

Gough, who played in that match, is his country’s most experienced one-day campaigner having played 136 times and the 34-year-old believes England now have the depth of talent and experience to end that losing sequence. “That run has to be broken sometime and let’s hope it’s this time,” said Gough. “We all want to play in the final, but we’re playing a quality side. We’re playing well and we’re playing quality cricket.” The real test, however, will come when England’s progress will be measured against the World Champions. “The Australia match has always been at the back of players’ minds, not so much because it’s Australia but because we’ve reached the semi-final and that’s been the main discussion,” said Gough.