“Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust. If Perry don’t get you, Jonassen must.”
Sounds somewhat familiar? Maybe because it is a fresh take on one of the most popular cricket phrases that defined Australia’s one-time dominance in the Ashes. It went “Ashes to ashes, dust to dust; if Thommo don’t get ya, then Lillee must” describing the fearsome pace bowling duo of Jeff “Terror” Thomson and Dennis “The Menace” Lillee during the 1974-75 Ashes.
Now, Cricket Australia has revived the classic couplet in their advertisement campaign for the women’s Ashes starting next month. The ad features all-rounder Ellyse Perry, spinner Jess Jonassen, seamer Megan Schutt, vice-captain Alex Blackwell, wicket-keeper Alyssa Healy and newly named stand-in captain Rachael Haynes. Talismanic batter and captain Meg Lanning will miss the series with a shoulder injury.
“The chant which has inspired our campaign immediately evokes memories of incredible past Ashes series, and the fierce rivalry between Australia and England ensures an Ashes series is always hard fought and highly entertaining,” Cricket Australia’s General Manager, Events & Leagues, Anthony Everard was quoted as saying by the official website.
Australia will be taking on England from October 22 in an attempt to retain their Ashes trophy. It will be a multi-format series, which features three ODIs, one day-night Test and three T20Is.
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