The Ashes 2013: Allan Border claims Australia have broken England's spell

Allan Border has expressed his delight at the way Australia have grown a leg in the third Ashes Test match at Old Trafford

Former Australian cricket captain and one of the all-time cricketing greats, Allan Border has claimed that Australia have “turned a corner” while Alastair Cook‘s England appeared ‘worried’ and ‘vulnerable’ during the third Ashes Test match at Old Trafford.

Although the game was washed away by rain, there was little doubt in everyone’s minds as to which team had the upper hand throughout the course of the game, after England were faltering for 37/3 while chasing a target of 332 set by the visitors.

Border, who is known to be a tough taskmaster and hence given the name “Captain Grumpy”, had condemned the Australian top-order, especially the top three, by calling them “embarrassing” after the visitors’ humiliating 347-run defeat at Lord’s.

However, following Australia’s rejuvenated performance in the third Test at Old Trafford, the former World Cup winning captain heaped praises on the young Australian side while pointing out that England managed to retain the urn thanks to the rain.

“What a difference two weeks can make. In the space of 14 days, my perception and gut-feel about this Australian side has changed,” the Aussie was quoted by Hindustan Times.

“England has retained the Ashes and well done to them, but the performance of this largely inexperienced Australian team has filled me with confidence,” exclaimed the former left-handed batsman who played 156 Test matches and captained the team 93 times.

“A.B” as he was known during his heyday retired as Australia’s most capped player and leading run-scorer in both Tests and ODIs. His Australian record for Test Match runs stood for 15 years before Ricky Ponting overtook him during the Third Ashes Test against England in July 2009.

Speaking about how Australia have started to look dangerous again, Border said, “They showed real fight and England are worried.

“The Poms were playing catch-up cricket from day one, going slow with over rates and doing everything they could to negate our chances of winning. At the end of the day rain saved England – it’s as simple as that.

“The way this side is going over the next few months, look out. Australia has the momentum,” he added.

Comparing the current Australian side to the 1986-87 squad which was captained by him, Border continued: “Old Trafford proved England is vulnerable. Australia has broken the spell (Jimmy) Anderson and (Graeme) Swann had over them, playing Cook’s two go-to men with more assurance.

“The confidence in the group has grown and the boys can sense they’re back in the contest. England has some good cricketers, but what this kind of performance does is put doubts in their minds.

“Cook, (Jonathan) Trott and (Kevin) Pietersen don’t look as insurmountable as they once did. I reckon we’ve turned a corner,” he concluded.