Bradman legend hovers over Aussies

WORCESTER, England - The legend of Sir Donald Bradman hovers above Australia's opening match of the Ashes tour against Worcestershire at picturesque New Road.

Under the steady gaze and ringing bells of Worcester Cathedral, the Australian one-day team takes the field tonight (AEST) at the traditional first port of call for Ashes sides in England.

If the forecast rain stays away, Australia's batsmen will attempt to emulate Bradman's habit of re-introducing himself to English crowds each summer with a double-hundred against the Midlands club.

The quaint white clubhouse perched just above New Road's lush outfield is home to a wonderful black and white photograph of Bradman playing a cover drive on April 30, 1938.

There's a capacity crowd of 14,000, the imperial old cathedral dominates the background, and Bradman is on his way to 258 - his third score of more than 200 against Worcester.

Five of Australia's Test batsmen - Matthew Hayden, Mark Waugh, captain Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist - are in the limited overs squad and like in Bradman's day, the match is sold out.

It's the perfect setting for them to start the tour on a run-filled note.

"This is a great place for us to come and play cricket, it's still the No.1 tour to be on for an Australian player," said Steve Waugh.

"Coming back to England we feel comfortable here, a lot of us have played a lot of cricket here and we just love playing in England.

"The crowds are the best to play in front of, the tradition of places like Lord's and some of the other grounds have just got a good feeling about them.

"Even being here for only a few days, it just feels like this is the right place to play cricket."

Waugh will not reveal the Australian starting XI until just before play begins.

Meanwhile, Worcestershire's Queensland import Andy Bichel has withdrawn from the match, preferring to rest himself for the club's bid to move out of the second division of the county championship.

"The decision was up to him really and he just basically felt - and I agree with him - that he's better resting up and saving himself for a game that means points for the county," said Worcestershire coach and former Australian player Tom Moody.

Bichel is a strong chance of being rushed into Australia's Test squad during the Ashes if one of the chosen fast bowlers is injured.

That is every chance of happening given the recent problems of Jason Gillespie (foot) and Brett Lee (elbow).