Who's going to win The Ashes?
 

I don't like either of them but I think there's not much between them. Australia are not what they were and are carrying some passengers - they still lack a decent spinner.

It'll be a close call but I think the Poms might edge it.

Re: Who's going to win The Ashes?
 

I can confidently predict that the losing team will complain about the umpiring or the other team "cheating". :D

Re: Who's going to win The Ashes?
 

I dont really care who wins but if it means the Ozzies will completely blank the subject on the news like they did when we beat them in the rugby then bring it on! I hope the uk wins it just to shut the arrogant smug gits on the tv up!!

Re: Who's going to win The Ashes?
 

i vote for a draw - probably 1-1 - have you seen the weatgher forecast for Cardiff???

the Aussies are not what they once were having lost a number of 'once in a generation' players at the same time, but they do often manage to pull it out at the right times. Especially against England.

Re: Who's going to win The Ashes?
 

Australia :thumbsup: ;)

Re: Who's going to win The Ashes?
 

England.

The English are a better side than they were in 2005.

The Aussies are a worse side than they were in 2005 (even counting the two tests they lost without McGrath).

It'll be close though.

Scottichcelts, are you not going to support your home team? Despite the name the England team actually represents the UK at test cricket.

Re: Who's going to win The Ashes?
 

I'm not British B :D

Re: Who's going to win The Ashes?
 

I'm a full on England Cricket supporter, but even I am not deluded to think that we are a better side than in 2005. We are not even close to that.

However you are completely right about the Aussie team

Re: Who's going to win The Ashes?
 

I actually couldn't give a toss :D

Can't stand the game :thumbdown:

Re: Who's going to win The Ashes?
 

Brett Lee has been dropped from the team due to injury, which leaves our bowling attack dangerously weak.

Poms to win.

Re: Who's going to win The Ashes?
 

There's still time yet Vash :D:thumbup:

Re: Who's going to win The Ashes?
 

If Johnson doesn't get wickets then the Aussies are in real trouble. All the pressure is now on Johnson to get them. Clark is not a wicket taker, neither is Hauritz. Siddle's swing could be interesting but I doubt he can produce it over an entire series. The Lee loss is massive to Aus

Re: Who's going to win The Ashes?
 

Sorry? How has the England side got worse? I beg to differ.

The bowling might be a fraction worse, but that's only if you consider Anderson to be worse than Jones and Broad to be worse than GBH (which is arguable), but then Broad is a vastly better bat than GBH so it probably levels out. Panesar is a better SLAC than Giles could ever dream of being, but Swann is better than both against the Aussies. You're better off with a good offie against left handers, and Australia has four lefties in their top six. Onions is definitely better than Hoggard.

As for batting:

Strauss is still Strauss.
Cook is still Cook
Probably Vaughan was better than Bopara is.
Bell is still Bell, and he was rubbish in 2005, probably he'll make more runs this time.
Pietersen is still Pietersen.
Collingwood is still Collingwood.
Prior is better than either Jones or that other bloke they kept on about.
Flintoff will be batting at 7 where he ought to bat (if not 8)
Broad can bat.
Swann can bat.
Panesar and Onions can't bat.

So 6, 7, and 8 will make up for any deficit of Bopara and then some.

If the wicket spins they'll leave out Onions and Bell.
If the wicket looks green they'll leave out Panesar and Bell.
If Pietersen is injured they'll put Bell in.

Re: Who's going to win The Ashes?
 

I wouldn't mind swinging with the wicket taker :rolleyes::blink::eek:

Re: Who's going to win The Ashes?
 

you've shown your lack of memory from the last Ashes series in England Burbage. Cook did not make his debut until India in 06. Besides which, Tresco was better at the time than Cook is now. Collingwood only played the last test (Oval) of the 05' series.
Jones was a much better bowler than Broad is now. Jones was the pick of our bowlers throughout that series, it was his reverse swing that made it! Jones also pitched in very nicely with the bat. Bell will not be picked for the first test, unless they suddenly decide to drop Bopara.
Flintoff is no longer Flintoff. When was the last time he took a 5 for? When was the last time he scored a century...or even a 50? Swann.... Is a better spinner, but Giles' role was a containing one, which he did marvelously...plus he also scored some very handy runs for us.