ICC 2029: The Ashes

[bumpuss]

Well the Ashes are going on now in Australia - How would it be in 2029?
Well here is background info for both teams to give you an idea:
In the Wisden Rankings: Australia is ranked 9th
England is ranked 5th.
The one day rankings, Australia = 7th and England = 5th.

Australia Squad Test Rankings: TOP 50 only
Batting
N.Godwin - 1st
F.Bakewell - 23th
S.Dial - 29th
J.Campbell - 35th
D.White - 42th
J.Henman - 44th
Bowling
H.Bull - 25th
S.Dial - 27th
A.Best - 34th
T.Curry - 37th
N.Godwin - 41th
N.Read - 44th

England Squad Test Rankings: TOP 50 only
Batting
T.Piggot - 14th
M.Ewing - 16th
G.Mcbain - 21th
D.Sheen - 40th
L.Short - 41th
B.Pollock - 46th
T.Bird - 47th
Bowling
J.Dwyer - 4th
S.Darcy - 21th
G.Poole - 31th
T.Jefferson - 36th
A.Jones - 39th

Clearly England start of favourites, Australia will dependent on Godwin performance and he will need the support of the other batsman. The England bowlers will clearly keep on eye on him, while their batsman need to find that form to make sure they stay ahead of the aussies.

 

[bumpuss]

First Test - At Lords

England won the toss and elected to bat first, Ewing and Sheen to open the batting. A.Best and N.Read to open the bowling.

End of Day One:
ENG 312 for 4

L.Short at 34 showed why he should continue to lead England as he played magnificently. A. Best for Australia kept the pressure and took some important wickets. Two new batsman are at the crease and Australia will be looking to quickly get them out and have a bat.

England were all out for 465 of 155.3 overs, Debutant R.Roach played wonderfully and scored a solid 87.

Its Australia's turn to bat now.

End of Day Two:
ENG 465 all out
AUS 188 for 4

A terrible to Australia as Dwyer took three quick wickets. N.Godwin ensured Australia stayed on track and is on 96*. A lot will depend on him as he attempts to get Australia out of trouble. Dwyer will continue his seam bowling and search for more wickets. England dominating, Australia on a recovery.

Australia were all out for 364. N.Godwin and L.Spencer ensured that Australia avoided the follow on and had a reasonable score. J.Dwyer was the bowler for England taking 6/128. The Australia really took to Jefferson. Now England will be looking to score a quick lead and then put Australia back in and look for the win.

End of Day Three:
ENG 465 all out -1st
AUS 364 all out -1st
ENG 133 for 3 - 2nd

THe pitch starting to wear, made it more difficult for the batsman to score. England currently have a lead of 234 runs and will be looking to score 350+ and then declaring. M.Ewing is batting solidly with 57*. T.Curry is the star for Australia with figures of 3/27.

England were bowled out for 417, with the debutant R.Roach providing another brilliant knock of 138*, with support from tailender T. Jefferson 62. T.Curry finished with figures of 6/140. Australia now need 519 to win. Australia will be looking to draw the match, as England will looking to knock over their batsman.

End of Day Four:
ENG 465 all out -1st
AUS 364 all out -1st
ENG 417 all out - 2nd
AUS 47 for 1

England snapped up a late wicket S.Dial, but still a lot of work to do, as N.Godwin is still at the crease the world no.1 batsman needs to put on show today for Australia to avoid a loss.

At lunch Australia were 203 for 3, the game heading towards a draw. But N.Godwin is out and two new batsman are at the crease. It is up to the England bowlers to take their oppurtinities.

Australia are at difficult position 310 for 7, and England able to get the new ball. One session left and 3 wickets for England to grab for win. England should win this. England win by 165 runs, as the new ball on the hands of J.Dwyer did the damager - 4/112.
Debut batsman R.Roach (ENG) took Man of the Match honours.

 

[NZTailender]

Good story so far. Keep it up

 

[bumpuss]

2nd Test At Trent Bridge

Only change to the England team - R.Carrington replaced by G.Poole

England won the toss and elected to bat first, Ewing and Sheen to open the batting. A.Best and N.Read to open the bowling.

End of Day One:
ENG 329 for 2
England got of to a steady start at Lunch they were 109 for 0. Ewing and Sheen building a partnership. Just before Tea Australia, with Bull picking two crucial wickets Sheen out short of his century 96 and L. Short in the same over for a duck.

England still remain in a strong position, and Australia will need to grab a few wickets to get on top. At the end of the day Ewing batted out the day and still at the crease at 185* searching for a double century, T Piggot is with him on 38*. Australia struggling to get some wickets here.

End of Day Two:
ENG 542 all out
AUS 124 for 3
A flurry of wickets made sure Australia were back on track just before lunch. Ewing finally dismissed for 209 by Best, whilst Curry picked up two important wickets of Piggot and Withe. Roach - man of the match in the first test is still at the crease.

Curry continued bowling superbly cleaning off the tail. A drizzle of rain meant 38 minutes of play was lost, as England were all out for 542. Curry starring with figures of 5/166.

Dwyer struck in the first of Australia's innings, removing world no.1 batsman Godwin caught behind. Australia already on the backfoot. Blakewell got start but didnt manage to continue and build, dismissed for 50. Australia need few of their batsman to build partnership.

End of Day Three:
ENG 542 all out
AUS 233 all out
AUS 259 for 5 -2nd
Dwyer continued to bowl brillaintly and was well supported by Poole and the spinners Darcy and Jefferson. Australia were bowled out for 233 as England enforced the follow on.

Godwin 63* and Blakewell 38* are building solid partnership as Australia adopted a more conservative approach. The English bowlers continue to bowl tight. The spinners finally removed Godwin 109 and Blakewell 72. England still lead by 50 runs.

End of Day Four:
ENG 542 all out
AUS 233 all out
AUS 449 all out - 2nd
ENG 141 for 1
A valuable partnership between Pettifer 121* and Read 68* showed that Australia were in for a fight. Australia were dismissed for 449 in their second innings. England require 141 runs to win - the pitch starting to suit spinners more - Curry will be looking to snag a few wickets.

M.Ewing was man of the match.
England won comfortably as the openers ensured nothing went wrong. England won by 9 wickets.