[craigkillie]

I realise this is being discussed quite a bit on the cricket thread, but it's a big enough event to merit it's own thread, given that the likes of Wimbledon and the T20 World Cup have them.

My knowledge of cricket is slightly limited, but I really enjoy watching all forms of the game, and you can't really beat the last day of a Test Match for drama. I fancy Australia to sneak the series - possibly 2-1 - but I expect it to be a lot closer than the 2007 series.

Will Flintoff's latest indiscretions lead to him being dropped, or can they not really afford to do that, given what he is capable of when he is on his game?

This post has been edited by craigkillie: 23 August 2009 - 20:06

[Savage Henry]

craigkillie, on Jul 1 2009, 20:00, said:

I realise this is being discussed quite a bit on the cricket thread, but it's a big enough event to merit it's own thread, given that the likes of Wimbledon and the T20 World Cup have them.

My knowledge of cricket is slightly limited, but I really enjoy watching all forms of the game, and you can't really beat the last day of a Test Match for drama. I fancy Australia to sneak the series - possibly 2-1 - but I expect it to be a lot closer than the 2007 series.

Will Flintoff's latest indiscretions lead to him being dropped, or can they not really afford to do that, given what he is capable of when he is on his game?

If Flintoff is fit he'll be straight in there and batting sixth. I gather it's not as sure a thing as Flintoff is saying though. I have my doubts he'll be fit for the entire series.

I fear Australia are a lot better than many people expect and could win three or four tests. Hope not though.

[Fuctifano]

If the series is even a tenth as good as 2005 it'll bewell worth watching , regardless of the result.

I think I have to fancy Australia, England's team seems a bit unbalanced to me; there's 5 batsmen, then Flintoff, Prior, Broad, and Swann, all of whom can bat a bit (Flintoff's batting has been by and large dreadful for 3 years now) so they're in a position where they can bat quite deep but at the same time their tail kind of starts at 6. Those 9 positions plus Anderson are nailed on, and it would appear to be between Sidebottom, Onions, Harmison, Panesar, and Rashid for the other bowling spot. Flintoff staying fit for the entire series is a must if England are to come out on top.

The Aussies won't be as strong in the bowling department as last time with the retirements of McGrath and Warne. Johnson, however has raised his game immeasurably in the last 2 years and is a ridiculously good bat to have at 8- he's their Flintoff and if he plays well the whole team will follow. Unless Hauritz does something tomorrow against the Lions I think they may well go with 4 seamers and use North, Katich, and Clarke as p/t spinners. Their batting as strong as ever, they just have a production line of which Hughes is the next one. Ponting is on his last tour of England and will be keen to make amends for 2005.

If you held a gun to my head, I'd say 3-1 Australia, with the Aussies winning the 5th test.

This post has been edited by Fuctifano: 01 July 2009 - 22:46

[Shengus Khan]

I'm struggling to come up with a prediction but i'd have Australia as the slightest of favourites. I do know that I am moist with anticipation. I really cannot wait any longer.

If Flintoff is fit then i'd play him at 7 and move Prior up to 6. The good news is that Freddie has found a bit of form with the bat (did anybody see his 93 for Lancs in the T20? Wow!) but I still think Prior will be more consistent with the bat.

For the first test i'd go with Strauss, Cook, Bopara, Pietersen, Collingwood, Prior, Flintoff, Broad, Swann, Sidebottom and Anderson. That looks like a very decent batting line up to me with the possibility of good runs down to Swann but I really worry about England taking wickets.

Australia are obviously going to miss Warne, McGrath and even McGill but Johnson looks the part (and can score centuries!), Clark was excellent in the last Ashes series and Peter Siddle has a better average than any of England's seamers. Lee, however, has never been as dangerous as his pace suggests he should be.

If I was pushed then i'd go with 2-1 to the Oz (England winning at Edgbaston with Oz victorius at Sofia Gardens and Lords) but just about any result could be possible.

[drs]

Think the Aussies are the slight favs but if England are bold and drop the drunk then I think that will gel the team together.

Can't wait for my trip to Leeds for the 4th test.

[Super Ally]

England's bating looks quite good and they could easily hurt australia. I think it will go down tot he last test but not sure of the score and England to win.

[capybara]

After watching Hughes yesterday i think England know how to get him out.

[Savage Henry]

By all accounts Harmison was absolutely tearing a new one out of some of the Aussie bats. I suspect he'll be recalled for the second test, as Sofia Gardens is low and almost insufferably slow.

[Shengus Khan]

Shengus Khan, on Jul 2 2009, 09:02, said:

Lee, however, has never been as dangerous as his pace suggests he should be.

And wouldn't you just know it! Lee only went and bowled like Courtney Walsh yesterday

One of his victims was Ian Bell though so that doesn't count. That's like taking candy off a baby.

[FC_1919]

Yeah, had to laugh at SSN "England Struggle Before The Ashes" was what the voice over boy said and they then played a clip of Ian Bell looking gutted. Could have picked someone that actually matters for the clip, I almost died a little inside when I thought he was called up.

Only time I will get this is in the canteen at work, not got Sky at home

[Yoss]

I think Flintoff will indeed play at seven behind Prior.

Harmison has just bounced out Phillip Hughes for the second time in the match for England Lions, which is an interesting development for both players Ashes prospects.

[Yoss]

As said on the other thread already, ten of the England side are already inked in:
Strauss, Cook, Bopara, Pietersen, Collingwood, Prior, Flintoff, Swann, Broad, Anderson

There are several candidates the the last bowling spot, complicated by the first Test being at Cardiff where it's mean to be a spinner's pitch, so Rashid or Panesar are in contention (they'll almost certainly go with Panesar if they do play the second spinner, despite his lack of county form and Rashid's batting ability), or if it's a paceman it's probably Sidebottom but with Onions and Harmison and possibly Bresnan doing their best to play their way into contention. It's nice to have some options.

[btb]

Reckon it'll be a tight series, and it'll be important to get the first win (statin' the bleedin' obvious). England look to have an advantage in playing the First Test at spin-friendly Cardiff, but the Second Test is at Lord's normally a happy venue for the Australians. IMO for England to win the series they'll have to be ahead at this point.

If Australia are level going into the Third Test then I reckon they'll go on to win the series, if they're in the lead...........................

This post has been edited by btb: 04 July 2009 - 10:46

[Yoss]

England's 13 man squad: Andrew Strauss (capt), Alastair Cook, Ravi Bopara, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Ian Bell, Matt Prior (wk), Andrew Flintoff, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Graham Onions, Monty Panesar

So Onions ahead of Sidebottom or Harmison, and discounting Bell as the spare batsman, it comes down to a straight fight between Onions and Panesar for the number eleven spot. Which decision will depend as much on the pitch as on the relative merits of the two players.

[Fuctifano]

Seems a bit odd given that Onions is quite a similar bowler to Anderson, and that Harmison outbowled Onions in the Lions match. I presume they'll go with the two spinners unless the pitch is radiaclly different to what has been reported all summer.

[capybara]

No surprises there then.Harmison maybe unlucky.G Miller speaking on 5 live this am did not rule him out,as the previous two post say,there will be better suited wickets than this for Harmy.

Looking forward to this.It is hard to predict.I think England have the better potential attack,some of the Aussies on there 1st tour.

England's batting always liable to collapse.I would say Australia maybe stronger in that dept,although they have not set the heather on fire so far,with the odd exception.

One thing for sure is that in the main we will see test matches played on wickets that i think will give results.

[btb]

Don't forget Harmison's not a first pick for England any more - IMO he'd have had to show a lot more to regain that status.

There's also Flintoff to consider - who knows when he'll pick up his next injury so you want the other bowlers to be reliable, I wouldn't expect to see Flintoff & Harmison together unless England are one down going into the final Test at The Oval.

FWIW I reckon Harmison will play at some point during the summer.

This post has been edited by btb: 05 July 2009 - 11:19

[Stewie Griffin]

I worry about the batting especially if one of the openers is out cheaply, puts a lot of pessure onto Bopara and even potentially Collingwood. Pietersen needs to be at his best and most sensible if there is any early collapse.

[Savage Henry]

btb, on Jul 5 2009, 12:17, said:

Don't forget Harmison's not a first pick for England any more - IMO he'd have had to show a lot more to regain that status.

There's also Flintoff to consider - who knows when he'll pick up his next injury so you want the other bowlers to be reliable, I wouldn't expect to see Flintoff & Harmison together unless England are one down going into the final Test at The Oval.

FWIW I reckon Harmison will play at some point during the summer.

Agreed. I think he'll be in for the second test. Not really surprised they left him out for such a low and slow wicket. Two spinners is definitely the way to go.

[Super J's]

England's downfall will be their spineless batting line-up as usual. Sure, they may be decent players, but as a unit they fall like a house of cards as soon as the going gets tough. How England fare in this series is very heavily reliant on Cook and Strauss.

[magoo82]

Really looking forward to this - got tickets for Saturday and Sunday B)

[ptfc ftw]

5-0 Australia again provided there is no rain delays

[Shengus Khan]

Super J's, on Jul 5 2009, 15:11, said:

England's downfall will be their spineless batting line-up as usual. Sure, they may be decent players, but as a unit they fall like a house of cards as soon as the going gets tough. How England fare in this series is very heavily reliant on Cook and Strauss.

This is a massive summer for Cook. For some reason I can see him having a great series and i've put a fiver on him being England's top run scorer. Expect to see him get a pair this week

[drs]

Monty shouldn't be anywhere near the squad never mind the team, he's having a really poor summer*.

Couple this with the threatened return of Bell and the Aussies could be looking good for this week.


* I reserve the right to edit this post when he takes 12 wickets in the match.

[Fuctifano]

drs, on Jul 6 2009, 09:14, said:

Monty shouldn't be anywhere near the squad never mind the team, he's having a really poor summer*.

Couple this with the threatened return of Bell and the Aussies could be looking good for this week.


* I reserve the right to edit this post when he takes 12 wickets in the match.

Surely Bellend's only in there in case one of the top 5 tears a hamstring between now and 11am Wednesday?

I agree about Monty, the guy's averaging about 90 with the ball this year in Division 2, how is that test match form? The Aussies had him worked out last time after one 5-for in his first match.