I don't know about a flutter, or the weather, but I think 2-1 England is a good shout. I think we won't lose the Ashes at least, and I wouldn't be surprised at 2-2 either. The Aussies are more settled than before, but I think that Cook and Trott will get it together, Bell with continue his form, and Pietersen will be Pietersen. Root is better at six at this stage of his test career, and Carberry I think will struggle. We need Jimmy and Swanny to be on form, Broad will be mercurial as usual but can win a match when he gets it together. I'm concerned about the 3rd seamer; none are in great form, but at least Finn gets wickets, even if he goes for runs. Prior is better than Haddin with gloves and bat.
Australia have decent bowlers, but lots of injuries. Harris is due another injury, and Johnson, like Broad, can be hot or cold with little in between. Siddle is solid and consistent and never gives up. Their batting is poor, and Clarke's back is a concern. I don't think Warner is the answer to their opening problems, Watson is decent even if he doesn't make many match winning scores, and Bailey is unproven at test level. Smith did well in England but is technically poor, and I really can't stand his face.
BUT the Aussies are more settled than they were in England, our batsmen are prone to collective cock ups, our preparation wasn't great (not helped by the weather), and Australia have home advantage. I can see the Aussies winning the first test, but after than we will be too strong
No more sleeps! Anyone having a flutter? I'm going 2-1 England
Australia 3-2
I will have a bet with you it will not finish with an Australia win 3-2. We will sneak it 2-1 after losing the first Test.
mmmm perhaps 3-2 is over optimistic given that Australia is experiencing some pretty unusual weather patterns .. I still fancy Oz though .. how about £5 on the result, whatever the score .. you have England and me Australia ?
Does anyone expect England to win the first test? We are slow starters, and scraped through last time against a very poor Austrailia (that said... without Ashton's unexpected turn we would have thumped them). I expect to lose.
Is SwannyG doing his Ashes Diary again anyone know? I found something ages saying he was going to do it, but haven't seen anything since! Was looking forward to that. I'm going to try to stay up to watch until lunch tonight. Doubt I'll make it though.
No more sleeps! Anyone having a flutter? I'm going 2-1 England
Australia 3-2
I will have a bet with you it will not finish with an Australia win 3-2. We will sneak it 2-1 after losing the first Test.
mmmm perhaps 3-2 is over optimistic given that Australia is experiencing some pretty unusual weather patterns .. I still fancy Oz though .. how about £5 on the result, whatever the score .. you have England and me Australia ?
Done. I still don't think that the Aussie batting line up is strong enough. Smith at number five? We have more match winners and at the end of the day it all revolves around who grabs the opportunity.
No more sleeps! Anyone having a flutter? I'm going 2-1 England
Australia 3-2
I will have a bet with you it will not finish with an Australia win 3-2. We will sneak it 2-1 after losing the first Test.
mmmm perhaps 3-2 is over optimistic given that Australia is experiencing some pretty unusual weather patterns .. I still fancy Oz though .. how about £5 on the result, whatever the score .. you have England and me Australia ?
Done. I still don't think that the Aussie batting line up is strong enough. Smith at number five? We have more match winners and at the end of the day it all revolves around who grabs the opportunity.
you're on .. I won't spend your cash until February .... ((:>)
I'll be doing my usual. Watch the first session, apart from Perth, kip on the settee with the telly on. Wake up about 5am to watch 1/2 hour before I get ready for work. Listen on digital radio on way to work.
Comments
It's not sometimes. It's all the time.
They were 85-5.
Broad 3 wickets, Finn 2.
http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/688147.html
stream here if anyone's interested.... no sound but you can stick 5 live on
http://www.cricket.com.au/video/Nov-13--16-Invitational-XI-v-England-Live-from-the-SCG
England 418 & 151-3 (Carberry 50).
England won by 7 wickets.
Australia have decent bowlers, but lots of injuries. Harris is due another injury, and Johnson, like Broad, can be hot or cold with little in between. Siddle is solid and consistent and never gives up. Their batting is poor, and Clarke's back is a concern. I don't think Warner is the answer to their opening problems, Watson is decent even if he doesn't make many match winning scores, and Bailey is unproven at test level. Smith did well in England but is technically poor, and I really can't stand his face.
BUT the Aussies are more settled than they were in England, our batsmen are prone to collective cock ups, our preparation wasn't great (not helped by the weather), and Australia have home advantage. I can see the Aussies winning the first test, but after than we will be too strong
We are unbeaten in 13 Tests and they have won NONE OF THEIR LAST NINE!
Last year over here the Saffers were undercooked and drew the first two Tests - but smashed the Aussies in Perth once they hit form.
Even against a shite Sri Lanka the Aussies struggled to impose themselves and - don't forget - in 2011 even the Kiwis won a Test here.
This is a piss poor Aussie side, riddled with factions and injuries - we should win the series 3-0.
My wife loves us playing Down Under!