Official - Road to Ashes 2023

[Molehill]

If England's that suited to flat pitches they'd have won at least one test in Australia in the past 12 years wouldn't they? we're always hearing how the decks here are so flat that anyone can bat on them.

The thing is England are going to put up a bunch of hack sloggers against Cummins, Starc, Haze et al. They're going to get murdered. They won't put up enough runs to make it competitive, even allowing for Anderson's troublesome drift. Wood was the fastest bowler in the last series and only rain prevented a whitewash.

Australia essentially turning up with the same team (possibly worse) that couldn't beat a woeful side in 2019 and were frankly lucky to get out with a rain draw at Lord's. Haven't won a series here for over 20 years now, can't believe the tried and tested will be sent to the Lions again.

Starc in away Tests last 4 years averages 35, even Zak Crawley is licking his lips.

All the evidence suggests Australia cannot win this series, I'm surprised someone like you cannot see that.

 

[ZK$]

Australia would have to choke pretty badly to not win this tbh.

 

[Burgey]

Australia essentially turning up with the same team (possibly worse) that couldn't beat a woeful side in 2019 and were frankly lucky to get out with a rain draw at Lord's. Haven't won a series here for over 20 years now, can't believe the tried and tested will be sent to the Lions again.

Starc in away Tests last 4 years averages 35, even Zak Crawley is licking his lips.

All the evidence suggests Australia cannot win this series, I'm surprised someone like you cannot see that.

Aus will win because they’ve got the better players. Even Dud Warner at worst equals Crawley. Khawaja and Marnus are miles better than their counterparts. Smith is better than Root. Head will score more runs than Brook (will be leading run scorer for the series- get on now). Stokes is better than Green, the keepers cancel each other out. Lyon is better than anything you’ve got, Anderson at best equals Cummins in your conditions, but Father Time will get him this summer. He just drifts it these days. Won’t give a yelp. Broad is always hit or miss and Haze is better. Wood is quick but does nothing with it, the bloke is bowling machine turned up to ten, nothing more.

Archer adds a bit, but who knows how he’ll be after two years out. Want to see him play of course but he’s probably 50/50 at best.

it’s done. Aus will have to throw up all over themselves for this to be a contest.

 

[GIMH]

I am going to need a big shovel to dig up all Burgey’s very failed predictions here

 

[Burgey]

I am going to need a big shovel to dig up all Burgey’s very failed predictions here

Home and hosed

 

[FBU]

The bowling will be Broad, Robinson, Archer, Stokes and Leach. If Archer is injured it will be Wood or Stone. I don't see Anderson getting a Test unless Broad or Robinson gets injured.

In 2019 Broad played 5 matches, Archer and Woakes played 4.

The Tests are always close together. Who ever they pick will play all the Tests so Stokes doesn't need the 8 bowlers fast bowlers in the squad.

 

[Molehill]

Aus will win because they’ve got the better players. Even Dud Warner at worst equals Crawley. Khawaja and Marnus are miles better than their counterparts. Smith is better than Root. Head will score more runs than Brook (will be leading run scorer for the series- get on now). Stokes is better than Green, the keepers cancel each other out. Lyon is better than anything you’ve got, Anderson at best equals Cummins in your conditions, but Father Time will get him this summer. He just drifts it these days. Won’t give a yelp. Broad is always hit or miss and Haze is better. Wood is quick but does nothing with it, the bloke is bowling machine turned up to ten, nothing more.

Archer adds a bit, but who knows how he’ll be after two years out. Want to see him play of course but he’s probably 50/50 at best.

it’s done. Aus will have to throw up all over themselves for this to be a contest.

Let's not forget that Khawaja was dropped in 2019, his series was nearly as bad as Warner's. No way Smith averages 110 again and bails out the team. Head cannot play in England. I've got an annoying feeling that Green might have a decent series actually but we'll see. I do have respect for Marnus too, knows English conditions and will be tough to get out.

Will Hazle even be fit?

Meanwhile, England are trying to work out how to shoehorn the best batsman of 2022 back into the team....

 

[Molehill]

The bowling will be Broad, Robinson, Archer, Stokes and Leach. If Archer is injured it will be Wood or Stone. I don't see Anderson getting a Test unless Broad or Robinson gets injured.

In 2019 Broad played 5 matches, Archer and Woakes played 4.

The Tests are always close together. Who ever they pick will play all the Tests so Stokes doesn't need the 8 bowlers fast bowlers in the squad.

What???? Anderson is literally the first bowler on the teamsheet. Broad is the one most at risk to one of the pacers.

 

[FBU]

What???? Anderson is literally the first bowler on the teamsheet. Broad is the one most at risk to one of the pacers.

Broad has a very good record against the Australians especially at home. Broad, Robinson and Anderson will probably play against Ireland.

 

[Chin Music]

What???? Anderson is literally the first bowler on the teamsheet. Broad is the one most at risk to one of the pacers.

There isn't exactly a lack of seam/pace bowlers who wouldn't be options for a test spot for this series whom you would back to do well with the Dukes ball at home v Australia, but yes, Anderson of course would be no.1 on the teamsheet. Like you, I am fairly certain that several Australian batsmen won't overcome their seam/swing aversion. I am more worried that England will be 2/3 down too quickly, especially if Crawley continues. I have more confidence in Pope than some. He has done ok as a 3 and is on an upward curve even if he hasn't been super consistent.

 

[FBU]

There isn't exactly a lack of seam/pace bowlers who wouldn't be options for a test spot for this series whom you would back to do well with the Dukes ball at home v Australia, but yes, Anderson of course would be no.1 on the teamsheet. Like you, I am fairly certain that several Australian batsmen won't overcome their seam/swing aversion. I am more worried that England will be 2/3 down too quickly, especially if Crawley continues. I have more confidence in Pope than some. He has done ok as a 3 and is on an upward curve even if he hasn't been super consistent.

I bet if Crawley doesn't get runs all series they will still keep him. I still think Bairstow will get runs there. He has batted a 3 for Yorkshire so that can be like opening the batting and he even opens with the white ball.

 

[social]

People are seriously downplaying a fit Archer

He’s as important to England as Warner is to Australia

Jofra and Wood are significantly better than Robinson who is basically a low rent Boland

Leach will be blasted by Head and largely irrelevant

 

[ashley bach]

Despite the fact that Australia haven't won in England for some time now, I gotta say that this stat is somewhat misleading.
Of course, not taking anything away from England, but we're talking about a single delivery here between winning or losing a series.
If you want to break it down even more then you could mention Lyon not managing to take the bails off to effect a run-out changed a series result.
The point being, is that Australia in England has been a very close contest in recent times and nothing between the teams.

Latest odds for the Ashes:

England 2.00
Australia 2.60
Drawn series 8.00

Haven't done anything yet but am very interested in Australia @2.6.
Two things that are concerning though are:
1. Will Warner be playing? (for me this really dampens the Aussies chances)
2. Is Cummins going to be fit and ready to go? (haven't heard any updates on his fitness levels)

For mine Australia are the much better team on paper and should win if they can get a near fully fit best squad on the park.
Bazball has been awesome and have enjoyed the way they have gone about their game over the last 10 months, but honestly think their luck will run
out sooner rather than later, mainly due to the quality they will be up against more than anything else.
Whichever camp you're in, or whether you're a neutral, it's certainly the most anticipated build up to an Ashes I can ever recall.

Only 64 days to go until all the talk goes out the window and the actions speak!

 

[Molehill]

People are seriously downplaying a fit Archer

He’s as important to England as Warner is to Australia

Jofra and Wood are significantly better than Robinson who is basically a low rent Boland

Leach will be blasted by Head and largely irrelevant

If you're underestimating the quality of Robinson on English pitches then it's a big mistake.

I'd like to provide some analysis on Boland's wicket taking skills outside Australia but.....checks notes.....oh......

 

[Burgey]

Let's not forget that Khawaja was dropped in 2019, his series was nearly as bad as Warner's. No way Smith averages 110 again and bails out the team. Head cannot play in England. I've got an annoying feeling that Green might have a decent series actually but we'll see. I do have respect for Marnus too, knows English conditions and will be tough to get out.

Will Hazle even be fit?

Meanwhile, England are trying to work out how to shoehorn the best batsman of 2022 back into the team....

Lol at thinking Khawaja, Head, Starc etc are just 2019 versions of themselves. As relevant as saying Bairstow averaged 21 four years ago so he won’t make a run now.

Mind you if he’s brought in as keeper he’ll barely make a run. Basically a dead rubber specialist against Aus and that’s it.

If Haze isn’t fit we’ll play….. Boland. I know, right? Starc before his finger was broken in Melbourne had been low key awesome for 12 months in tests. Was a bastard of an injury to get at that time for him.

Hack fraud sloggers will not prosper against this Aus attack, and that’s what englands line up is save for Root and Stokes.

 

[Burgey]

If you're underestimating the quality of Robinson on English pitches then it's a big mistake.

I'd like to provide some analysis on Boland's wicket taking skills outside Australia but.....checks notes.....oh......

And I’d like to provide some analysis of Harry Brook and Ben Duckett vs Australia but…. Oh.

Happy to provide some for Crawley, Pope and Root though: mediocrity.

if Boland plays he’ll decimate England over there. He’s a better bowler than anyone in the England side and he’s a fringe selection for us.

All this talk about englands seam bowling yet Marcus ****ing Harris is making runs in county cricket. Cunning ploy by the Poms to try to play him into the test team

 

[Burgey]

Despite the fact that Australia haven't won in England for some time now, I gotta say that this stat is somewhat misleading.
Of course, not taking anything away from England, but we're talking about a single delivery here between winning or losing a series.
If you want to break it down even more then you could mention Lyon not managing to take the bails off to effect a run-out changed a series result.
The point being, is that Australia in England has been a very close contest in recent times and nothing between the teams.

Latest odds for the Ashes:

England 2.00
Australia 2.60
Drawn series 8.00

Haven't done anything yet but am very interested in Australia @2.6.
Two things that are concerning though are:
1. Will Warner be playing? (for me this really dampens the Aussies chances)
2. Is Cummins going to be fit and ready to go? (haven't heard any updates on his fitness levels)

For mine Australia are the much better team on paper and should win if they can get a near fully fit best squad on the park.
Bazball has been awesome and have enjoyed the way they have gone about their game over the last 10 months, but honestly think their luck will run
out sooner rather than later, mainly due to the quality they will be up against more than anything else.
Whichever camp you're in, or whether you're a neutral, it's certainly the most anticipated build up to an Ashes I can ever recall.

Only 64 days to go until all the talk goes out the window and the actions speak!

Cunmins is 100 per cent fit. He only left the Indian tour because his mum was in palliative care and passed away. Haze is certainly under a cloud though.

 

[slowfinger]

People are seriously downplaying a fit Archer

He’s as important to England as Warner is to Australia

Jofra and Wood are significantly better than Robinson who is basically a low rent Boland

Leach will be blasted by Head and largely irrelevant

No way am I hearing that Robinson is a low rent Boland

Robinson is going to lead the attack and is the key to England getting the top order out. If he fires, that takes so much pressure off Broad/Anderson (BTW I think only one of them will probably play most of the matches). Then Wood/Archer/Stone/?Saqib Mahmood are bonuses.

Leech will deliver more in England than Lyon I feel

 

[ashley bach]

Yeah Ollie Robinson is a gun bowler and a key for England.

 

[andruid]

Ben Stokes requests 'fast, flat wickets' for the Ashes

England captain encouraged by improvement in left knee as he looks to reprise fourth-seamer role this summer

www.espncricinfo.com

I have yet to see this supposed nuance in BazBall that some keep mentioning.

This looks like the kind of hubris that makes the schadenfreude of England losing so damn sweet