THE GOSSIP: YOUR DAILY ROUND-UP OF THE CRICKETING WORLD

Worst Australian batting line-up since the 70s according to Botham and Essex can win every competition in 2018 says McGrath

Every weekday The Cricketer gathers the latest news, views and stories from across the web. Here's today's handy bundle...

Essex head coach Anthony McGrath says there's no reason his team can't win every competition in 2018. (Echo News)

Sir Ian Botham says the Australian batting line-up is the worst since the 1970's. (talkSPORT)

Ashes war of words will "add to the fire that is carried on to the field"  according to former Aussie wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist. (cricket.com.au)

Steve Smith has said that Australia's current band of pacemen are 'more nasty' than Mitchell Johnson. (sport24)

One man steering clear of the hot air is Usman Khawaja who says he will aim to hurt England with runs not words. (The Sydney Morning Herald)

Shane Dadswell, the South African batsman who unleashed a mammoth innings of 490 from 151 deliveries over the weekend reflects on the 'best day of his life'. (Cricket South Africa)

Herschelle Gibbs is set for a return to playing club cricket with Pinelands CC. (SACricketMag.com)

Peter Handscomb says he is looking forward to engaging with the travelling fans in Australia. (mid-day.com)

Here's Michael Vaughan on how to survive the Ashes... (BBC Sport)

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