05 wins but closer than people would probably think. That team had some ordinary players but seam bowlers would blow this lot away I think, despite them having better batting. Only Tresco was a top player in the lineup really.We can never forget 2005, and the new Bazball style is fabulous viewing. Who do you think would win if the Eng team in the 05 series played the 2023 vintage?
I think '23 do have better players but think '05 was a more cohesive unit that excuted in big moments pretty consistently. Wasn't just Aus win, also beat a good saffer side away as well as a half decent windies team away during that period.Yeah if we go by career then 2023 might edge it but it is still pretty close
Trescothick
Strauss
Vaughan
Root
Pietersen
Stokes
Bairstow
Flintoff
Ali
Broad
Anderson
Bats deep
Of course if we look at careers in a few years time then Brook will hopefully make it.
2010 is quite obviously a long way ahead of both.
The only thing that team was really missing was Flintoff or Stokes2010 is quite obviously a long way ahead of both.
Obviously you'd drop Collingwood but would you include one of the all-rounders or Root in his place? That batting lineup was in such insane form that it would be hard to argue Root goes ahead of any of the top 5.The only thing that team was really missing was Flintoff or Stokes
Oh I’d pick Root over anyone really, I just meant that either side of our best team this century we’ve had top-class all-rounders that would get into any Test side but that team never had one.Obviously you'd drop Collingwood but would you include one of the all-rounders or Root in his place? That batting lineup was in such insane form that it would be hard to argue Root goes ahead of any of the top 5.
Guess you could swap out Bresnan/Finn for Flintoff, Simon Jones or maybe even Woakes (who'd probably find an overseas wicket to his liking at the 2010 MCG) and maybe Wood for Tremlett but none of those choices are locked in.
Jones over Broad? Wasn't Broad vital in both 2010 and 2023? Just wonderingOh I’d pick Root over anyone really, I just meant that either side of our best team this century we’ve had top-class all-rounders that would get into any Test side but that team never had one.
Composite 2005/10-11/23 team
Cook
Strauss (10-11 version)
Trott
Root
Pietersen
Stokes
Prior
Flintoff
Swann
Simon Jones
Anderson
That was tough and I have edited it about nine times but 1-5 picks itself
Actually if we’re going purely on the series maybe Bell does get in for Root
He was broke in 2010, replaced by Tremlett after 2 tests I think.Jones over Broad? Wasn't Broad vital in both 2010 and 2023? Just wondering
Their pace bowling wasn't though. Outside of the 1st test, it was worse that Aussie 2023.think the recurring theme of this series was how poor the standard of cricket actually was. That wasn't the case in the 05 Ashes. England beat an OZ side almost at their best. England nearly beat an Australia side the worst I have seen them in recent memory here. Therefore I don't think it's fair the compare the two series really.
Not convinced this is the worst Australian side to come to these shores in recent years. 2009, 13 and 15 were all pretty mediocre.think the recurring theme of this series was how poor the standard of cricket actually was. That wasn't the case in the 05 Ashes. England beat an OZ side almost at their best. England nearly beat an Australia side the worst I have seen them in recent memory here. Therefore I don't think it's fair the compare the two series really.