***Official*** Australia in England (The Ashes)

[King_Ponting]

i hope they draw..... for the sake of the series

 

[age_master]

Jaques is definately an opening batsman. They also have Hussey.

But neither are in the squad, so it wont happen this series. If Hayden is playing absolutely pathetically, I can see Katich being promoted to open, but hes not in the best of form either.

no i reakon that Hayden will possibly get dropped for the last test depending on the series situation and his form. the other option would be to open with Gilchrist

 

[Pedro Delgado]

I have a nagging doubt lurking at the back of my mind that a few folk have been too quick to write Oz off in this test. They'll have to bat exceptionally well (better than any test side has batted before chasing a 4th innings total in fact), but I still think the Oz top order will come good at some point in this series. Perhaps the discipline needed to chase such a huge total will be the spur they need.

I'm hoping I'm totally wrong tho.

Quite a run rate to keep up with though, and if wickets fall at regular intervals it'll be doubly tricky. Draw may be the favourite result, but I'm going for England 'cos it's about time I backed them (cue Langer double-century and Ponting ton to steer them home with five overs to spare).

 

[andyc]

I have a nagging doubt lurking at the back of my mind that a few folk have been too quick to write Oz off in this test. They'll have to bat exceptionally well (better than any test side has batted before chasing a 4th innings total in fact), but I still think the Oz top order will come good at some point in this series. Perhaps the discipline needed to chase such a huge total will be the spur they need.

I'm hoping I'm totally wrong tho.

Congrats on the 4,000, they've been great.

I agree that they have to come good some time, but I don't think it'll be now. I'm going to go out on a limb and say Hayden to score a few.

 

[andyc]

no i reakon that Hayden will possibly get dropped for the last test depending on the series situation and his form. the other option would be to open with Gilchrist

I'm not sure about opening with Gilly, he doesn't seem to be that good against the swinging ball.

 

[King_Ponting]

I'm not sure about opening with Gilly, he doesn't seem to be that good against the swinging ball.

Well whenever he comes in he'll be faced with swing, the way england have been getting the ball to reverse. Actually wouldnt be too bad an idea imo.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Congrats on the 4,000, they've been great.

I agree that they have to come good some time, but I don't think it'll be now. I'm going to go out on a limb and say Hayden to score a few.

Cheers, mate!

 

[Tom Halsey]

IMO if Australia still try and attack they are history.

If they do bat sensibly, I reckon they'll get a draw. I'd be pretty surprised if they don't bat sensibly though.

 

[Clarence]

I can see the Aussies winning this I really can! Langer, Hayden and Marto to get the scores.

 

[nick-o]

Right then, what's the verdict? Anyone prepared to back Australia to get the runs, or to draw?

I'm gonna go for an England win, with the King of Spain taking four wickets, Fred and the fiery Welshman to reverse it and grab the rest late on, Aus all out for 347.

Thereby keeping my 2-3 series prediction result alive!!

Depends on whether the Aussies set out to play for a draw or go for the win. If the former, I think they'll hold on and achieve the draw; if the latter, I'd favor an Eng win something like 80/20.

So which will they go for? I think they will want to go for the dramatic and play for the win. I think it's the wrong thing for them to do, but I think they'll go for it.

 

[King_Ponting]

I can see the Aussies winning this I really can! Langer, Hayden and Marto to get the scores.

I'll have two of what your on! I suppose we can only really have faith....

 

[andyc]

I can see the Aussies winning this I really can! Langer, Hayden and Marto to get the scores.

Only if the Aussie batsmen can really fire. But this team has always surprised me, and everyone else, so many times by pulling things out of thin air.

 

[Scaly piscine]

I'm not sure about opening with Gilly, he doesn't seem to be that good against the swinging ball.

I also think it would be a bad idea, whilst England are still attacking a lot he'll be lucky to survive half an hour, he looked like getting out at any time in his 30 and was dropped twice.

As for this thing about England supposedly planning really well, this was undone somewhat by England not preparing themselves for Warne in the first Test - they couldn't pick him, I've still no idea why they didn't put the work in for this earlier and if you ask me they hadn't practiced or planned much for the outside leg stuff either.

 

[Burpey]

No need to panic by changing batting orders ... I think the Aussies should play their natural game because shutting up shop would be dangerous

 

[BoyBrumby]

Bowling Hoggy! Big wicket!

 

[King_Ponting]

**** come on langer

 

[andyc]

Damn

 

[Tom Halsey]

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Burpey]

Oh dear ...

 

[Pedro Delgado]

Don't think anyone was expecting that.