2009 Ashes

[TightEnd]

why do we want turning pitches we dont have one world class spinner nevermind 2.  I dont think swann will have ponting and co 2 worried  imo

they have none

the seam bowling is a wash..Johnson and Siddle v ours....

we have an advantage in spin, world calss or not

[thetank]

It's just a pity that all the games are on when every self respecting poker player is fast asleep.

[Singheee]

I like the look of:

Bopara top series run scorer for england

Simon katich top series run scorer for australia

[kukushkin88]

Katich is a great shout, I can't see any value in the England lineup, KP is the likely top runscorer but no value.

[KarmaDope]

why do we want turning pitches we dont have one world class spinner nevermind 2.  I dont think swann will have ponting and co 2 worried  imo

You don't think that the test leading wicket taker in 2009 will have the Aussies worried? A team with a pretty dismal record of playing against spin?

[vegaslover]

Backing the draw in Cricket is a really bad idea usually. I really think the first test is different though. They will prepare a very flat wicket, both teams bat much better they they bowl and it rains in South Wales pretty much all the time.

The draw is often priced bigger than it should be, due to weather considerations, especially in England. Just ask Lancashire

[Matt50]

I have taken the 2.06 on the Aussies to win the series - this is too big for me, and i am not one of these that believe this is a 50/50 shot either way.

Just think back to 2005 and how unbelievabley well we had to play on each and every day, in each and every test, to just about win it.
Both teams have lost major players , for the Aussies Hayden, Warne and McGrath, for England Trescothick, Vaughan and Simon Jones and to a certain extent i fear Flintoff.  There is no way he will have the impact he had in 2005, he is nowhere near test match fitness and has to be a doubt to play all 5 matches.

Also dont forget that on top of hammering us in the Ashes 2 years ago, the Aussies went to South Africa (the best test team in the world) earlier this year and won the series.

Opening batsman:  A lot depends on how Hughes and Katich cope with the new ball - they are both very dangerous players if they start to build an innings.  For England, Strauss will be targetted by the Aussies and needs some early runs for confidence.  Cook should score well, but will need support. Eng 8  Aus 8

Top order: Ponting, M Clarke, Hussey - a formiddable 3,4,5 if they hit form - capable of propelling the team to massive scores.  For England, Bopara is going to be under huge pressure and Collingwood at 5 needs to improve his fairly modest form of late.  We all know about KP, and he will be well up for the series.  He must keep his head though in pressure situations. Eng 8  Aus 9

All rounder:  As i said previously, Flintoff is probably not match fit and may hold the key to how England go in the series - if he fails with the bat and can only bowl a handful of overs in each innings i firmly believe that England will struggle.  Marcus North for the Aussies is a pretty good batsman, and will probably bowl a bit, but someone that England should be able to get at. Eng 8  Aus 7

Wicket Keeper: Prior has to score runs, and lots of them to make up for the 2 or 3 wickets he will cost behind the stumps.  Haddin is a top drawer keeper and also a very very good batsman.  His form with the bat will be one of the keys to the series and dont be surprised if he comes up with 4 or 5 half centuries. He is not Adam Gilchrist, but he is very very talented. Eng 7  Aus 8

Fast bowlers:  This is where England won the Ashes in 05.  The combination of Harmison, Flintoff, Hoggard and Simon Jones was too much for the Aussies.  Unfortunately we dont have them now, and Anderson, Broad and Onions are nowhere near as potent.  Early wickets are crucial for England, but i'm not so sure they will get them.   The Aussies are likely to go into the Test with Johnson, Siddle and either Clark or Hilfenhaus.  They bowled extremely well in South Africa, and if they repeat that here then England's top order will be under great pressure.  Lee is a loss, but as he wasnt match fit, not as big a loss as Johnson would be.  Eng 7  Aus 8

Spinners:  Every one is writing off Nathan Hauritz -this could be a major mistake.  The guy can spin the bowl, and just because he hasnt done anything on the tour yet (ala Shane Warne all those years ago) he will have a major impact.  He has played only 4 tests, but has taken 14 wickets. He can also bat a bit. For England Swann will be important but will be under pressure and must produce early on.  He is also capable of getting important runs for the team.  Eng 8 Aus 8


England 46   Austrailia 48


My prediction - Australia to win 2-1 or 3-1

[TheChipPrince]

Any other individual bets Matt?

[Longy]

Reckon that is a good toss to win, get the runs on the board and hope the pitch wears as the match goes on.

[Graham C]

Bit disapointed with Sky Player, they've finished the first anthum on radio and they're shaking hands on the player still!

and it's lagging too much

[TheChipPrince]

I was thinking about the 2005 ashes, and remebered Shaun Tait, hows he's fallen...

''Cricket Australia announced on 14th May 2009 that Tait would not have his contract renewed for the 2009/10 season. Tait described this as "a kick in the teeth".

Tait has recently signed as an overseas player for Chipstead, Coulsdon & Walcountians in Division 5 of the Surrey Championship playing alongside his brother Jarrod.''

[amcgrath1uk]

Catch and a half from Hussey that. Sigh.

[TightEnd]

Session to Australia. Clever bowling from all three quicks

[amcgrath1uk]

Session to Australia. Clever bowling from all three quicks

yep. spot on.

[Longy]

Session to Australia. Clever bowling from all three quicks

Agreed, this looks like a should get 400 first inning wicket.