Who Will Win The Ashes

[warne_94]

Who Will Win The Ashes Series 2007 I Think The Aussies Will Win It Because Last Time Australia Was To Friendly This Time They Will Beat Them I Think Yes Whats Your Opinion.

 

[luffy]

I think the Australians should win. I do not underestimate the Poms after last year and there form this year has been good but i just cant see them winning on Aussie Soil.

 

[Tomm NCCC]

Australia, unfortunately. You shouldnt rule us out but its going to be a completly different series down under

 

[superkingdave]

could be a wash tbh

 

[Hodgo7]

I don't think the boys will underestimate the English team like they may have done last time.

Australia 3-1.

 

[Tom Halsey]

The Aussies, by a mile.

However, in 2009, assuming we've a full squad again and the Aussies have lost a few, the tables will turn once more (hopefully).

 

[GIMH]

We'll retain them. Honestly.

 

[Salamuddin]

I'm going for Australia 3-1.

I don't think England are as good a team as a lot of their fans think.
Even in 2005, with a lot of things going there way England barely scraped home.

In Australia, if Australia have everyone fit and there are no significant weather interruptions, they should win comfortably.

 

[aussie]

The Aussies, by a mile.

However, in 2009, assuming we've a full squad again and the Aussies have lost a few, the tables will turn once more (hopefully).

yea i reckon in the next few Ashes series, home advantage may be a crucial factor in deciding who wins.

 

[Laurrz]

doesn't rain in Australia, nice bootiful sunny weather

 

[AussieDominance]

ahhahah laurry

 

[Slow Love™]

Through injury and average performance since, England, as current Ashes champions, have probably slipped down to true underdog status.

I expect Australia to win by a couple of tests. But I'm not sure we'll be seeing a true indication of the sides' relative strength with their best teams on the field, and that's sad.

 

[BoyBrumby]

I went 3-1 Oz last year & it seemed to work like a charm, so if it ain't broke...

 

[Tomm NCCC]

If i was to put my neck out and make a prediction, I would say 3-1 to the Austrians

 

[andyc]

If i was to put my neck out and make a prediction, I would say 3-1 to the Austrians

Bit of a geography buff then?

 

[Barney Rubble]

Bit of a geography buff then?

I hear those Romanians are building up quite a side.

 

[TheEpic]

Can't help but think that Australia are building themselves up FAR too much. I can see Warne making a massive impact as per usual, but McGrath i really think is over the hill and hasn't played cricket for months.

Lee doesn't worry me either, as although his bowling has improved over the last year or so, he seems to get easily rattled if things don't go his way early on and overbowl his bouncer. If Pietersen goes after him I can see him going for a few.

Then after that there's a handful of worthy but ultimately average seam bowlers. Clark, Gillespie and Watson shouldn't particularly concern England.

Batting wise, much is reliant on Ponting and Hussey for me. Both are class acts who if on form could swing it for Australia. If they don't fire however, the depth beyond this is questionable. I still believe Hayden lacks the ability to ground out a series of scores against a persistent attack of genuinely quick bowlers. Langer is a good player, but again may suffer from his lack of cricket. Martyn and Gilchrist both appear to be past their best, and Clarke has a long way to go to prove himself as a capable player. Symonds is laughable in the longer format and seems unable to construct an innings, instead relying on a 'block, then hit for 6' strategy, which will ultimately fail. Watson is unproven.

So, in conclusion.... think it will be a very close series which could easily go either way. WE'LL JUST HAVE TO SEE!

 

[Tormented]

Can't help but think that Australia are building themselves up FAR too much. I can see Warne making a massive impact as per usual, but McGrath i really think is over the hill and hasn't played cricket for months.

Lee doesn't worry me either, as although his bowling has improved over the last year or so, he seems to get easily rattled if things don't go his way early on and overbowl his bouncer. If Pietersen goes after him I can see him going for a few.

Then after that there's a handful of worthy but ultimately average seam bowlers. Clark, Gillespie and Watson shouldn't particularly concern England.

Batting wise, much is reliant on Ponting and Hussey for me. Both are class acts who if on form could swing it for Australia. If they don't fire however, the depth beyond this is questionable. I still believe Hayden lacks the ability to ground out a series of scores against a persistent attack of genuinely quick bowlers. Langer is a good player, but again may suffer from his lack of cricket. Martyn and Gilchrist both appear to be past their best, and Clarke has a long way to go to prove himself as a capable player. Symonds is laughable in the longer format and seems unable to construct an innings, instead relying on a 'block, then hit for 6' strategy, which will ultimately fail. Watson is unproven.

So, in conclusion.... think it will be a very close series which could easily go either way. WE'LL JUST HAVE TO SEE!

That's a rather bias analysis of the Australian team. We could do a similar thing with the English team.

Last year when you guys won the Ashes you had a lot of things work in your favour. For starters just about every player in the Australian team was playing well below their best. Which one of our batsmen found any form in that series? You were lucky enough to have all our Batsmen constantly failing. Secondly Gillespie. Clearly he was playing very poorly but the selectors stuck with him based on past performances. So for three matches you had easy pickings there. We also lost McGrath for a couple of matches. Ponting ****ed up big time in the second test choosing to field and speaking of the second test, you guys were 2 runs away from going 2-0 down in the series. There's no way you would have come back from that. That really was the turning point.

Lets look at your team. You're specialist captain Michael Vaughan managed to find some form just at the right time. Then there was Andrew Flintoff.....I believe he was only averaging about 32 with the bat in test cricket at the time, yet he was playing like a guy who averages over 50. Then there was the reverse swing factor which hurt the Aussie batsmen big time. That wont be anywhere near as much of a factor in Australia. So you guys had a lot of players who were peforming well above their ability....they were in good form.

Having said all that I think England deserved to win the 2005 Ashes series. Apart from the first test they were the better team.

Different story for the coming series in Australia. A few of your players are gone. You're team up until recently has been in poor form. Meanwhile the Australians have been won I think 11 out of 12 tests since the ashes. No losses. I think even the most hardcore England fan would agree that to win the seires in Australia, England is going to have to play much better than they did in 2005. I'm not saying they can't do it but they're going to have to play a lot better.


In response to some of your critisisms of the Aussie team;

McGrath is a quality player and will always perform well.

Lee should worry you more than he is. Australian wickets are much harder/faster than english wickets which will suit Lee. He will be able to get more pace and bounce and therefore bowl more to his strengths. The 150km bouncer is far less effective on a slower/duller English pitch.

You're right about some of our backup bowlers although I think Clark has done well and Watson has been in excellent form of late. You are right about Watson though....he is unproven and he's been showing good form in country cricket which doesnt really mean much cause any Australian player can go over and play in your weak competition and hit double hundreds and take lots of wickets

Speaking of which you talk about Langer's lack of cricket. Anyone recall his first game back in county cricket where he made that huge double hundred and broke the record at his club for the highest individual score? Doesn't sound like the guy is suffering from a lack of cricket.

Hussey and Ponting are important yes but the problem you've got is that they are in career best form. The whole Aussie team is also enjoying a nice break from test cricket. It will be the start of our season and they will be refreshed.

You say Hayden isnt going to be that effective but you're forgetting that he to is a class player averaging over 50 in test cricket. Thats no easy feat. If he does hit some form then it'll be hard work for England's depleted bowling attack.

Michael Clarke and Martyn don't really deserve a spot in the Aussie 11. I think they should put Jaques in at number 4 (he wont care if he doesn't get to open as long as he gets to play for Australia) and I think Watson will get the number 6 spot due to form.

I can't wait for November 23. I'm taking time off work to sit at home and get drunk and watch the cricket!

Here's the team I think the Aussies should pick (but the selectors will go for a slightly different team)

Hayden
Langer
Ponting
Jaques (the selectors will go with Martyn or Clarke)
Hussey
Watson (the selectors might go with Clarke or Symonds here)
Gilchrist
Lee
Warne
Gillespie (as much as I like Dizzy I think the selectors will pick Stuart Clark)
McGrath

I can't see a injury plauged England defeating that team in a best of 5 series on their home turf.

 

[luffy]

That's a rather bias analysis of the Australian team. We could do a similar thing with the English team.

Last year when you guys won the Ashes you had a lot of things work in your favour. For starters just about every player in the Australian team was playing well below their best. Which one of our batsmen found any form in that series? You were lucky enough to have all our Batsmen constantly failing. Secondly Gillespie. Clearly he was playing very poorly but the selectors stuck with him based on past performances. So for three matches you had easy pickings there. We also lost McGrath for a couple of matches. Ponting ****ed up big time in the second test choosing to field and speaking of the second test, you guys were 2 runs away from going 2-0 down in the series. There's no way you would have come back from that. That really was the turning point.

Lets look at your team. You're specialist captain Michael Vaughan managed to find some form just at the right time. Then there was Andrew Flintoff.....I believe he was only averaging about 32 with the bat in test cricket at the time, yet he was playing like a guy who averages over 50. Then there was the reverse swing factor which hurt the Aussie batsmen big time. That wont be anywhere near as much of a factor in Australia. So you guys had a lot of players who were peforming well above their ability....they were in good form.

Having said all that I think England deserved to win the 2005 Ashes series. Apart from the first test they were the better team.

Different story for the coming series in Australia. A few of your players are gone. You're team up until recently has been in poor form. Meanwhile the Australians have been won I think 11 out of 12 tests since the ashes. No losses. I think even the most hardcore England fan would agree that to win the seires in Australia, England is going to have to play much better than they did in 2005. I'm not saying they can't do it but they're going to have to play a lot better.


In response to some of your critisisms of the Aussie team;

McGrath is a quality player and will always perform well.

Lee should worry you more than he is. Australian wickets are much harder/faster than english wickets which will suit Lee. He will be able to get more pace and bounce and therefore bowl more to his strengths. The 150km bouncer is far less effective on a slower/duller English pitch.

You're right about some of our backup bowlers although I think Clark has done well and Watson has been in excellent form of late. You are right about Watson though....he is unproven and he's been showing good form in country cricket which doesnt really mean much cause any Australian player can go over and play in your weak competition and hit double hundreds and take lots of wickets

Speaking of which you talk about Langer's lack of cricket. Anyone recall his first game back in county cricket where he made that huge double hundred and broke the record at his club for the highest individual score? Doesn't sound like the guy is suffering from a lack of cricket.

Hussey and Ponting are important yes but the problem you've got is that they are in career best form. The whole Aussie team is also enjoying a nice break from test cricket. It will be the start of our season and they will be refreshed.

You say Hayden isnt going to be that effective but you're forgetting that he to is a class player averaging over 50 in test cricket. Thats no easy feat. If he does hit some form then it'll be hard work for England's depleted bowling attack.

Michael Clarke and Martyn don't really deserve a spot in the Aussie 11. I think they should put Jaques in at number 4 (he wont care if he doesn't get to open as long as he gets to play for Australia) and I think Watson will get the number 6 spot due to form.

I can't wait for November 23. I'm taking time off work to sit at home and get drunk and watch the cricket!

Here's the team I think the Aussies should pick (but the selectors will go for a slightly different team)

Hayden
Langer
Ponting
Jaques (the selectors will go with Martyn or Clarke)
Hussey
Watson (the selectors might go with Clarke or Symonds here)
Gilchrist
Lee
Warne
Gillespie (as much as I like Dizzy I think the selectors will pick Stuart Clark)
McGrath

I can't see a injury plauged England defeating that team in a best of 5 series on their home turf.

There is too much writing

 

[Tormented]

haha yeah I know I got a bit carried away.

It'd be nice if we were discussing more specific aspects of the team.

In short...the Aussies underperformed last series and England overachieved. England needs to play lots better than last time around if they are going to win.