Aussies take Ashes countdown to Big Ben

Sydney:

Australia has taken over an iconic London site in a promotional stunt to ramp up its campaign to retrieve cricket's Ashes in the Test series against England which starts next month.

Images of skipper Ricky Ponting and his deputy Michael Clarke were projected on to the tower of Big Ben early Thursday as part of an advertising campaign ahead of the opening Test at Brisbane's Gabba ground on November 25.

The images were accompanied by the taunt "Don't forget to pack the urn -- bringontheashes.com".

Ponting, who has twice lost the Ashes as Australian captain, warned England's cricketers and fans not to expect an easy tour Down Under.

"Winning the urn back from our age-old rival is the most prized achievement for Australians and we just wanted to send them a reminder not to leave the urn behind," Ponting said in a Cricket Australia statement.

"Our message is clear -- we're prepared and we're ready so bring on the Ashes!"

Clarke backed his skipper's sentiments, adding: "The Ashes is the ultimate cricket battle between our nations and this year will be no exception.

"The team will have to dig deep and deliver. We have some new faces in the squad this series who didn't play in England last time.

"So they're fresh and excited to be part of their first Ashes tour."

Cricket Australia said its stunt projected on to Big Ben had already initiated plenty of hits on its series web site.

England retrieved the Ashes off Australia in last year's series in England and Andrew Strauss's team are scheduled to arrive in Perth on Saturday to play five Tests, seven one-dayers and two Twenty20 internationals.