Ashes 2010/11

[Dante Lavelli]

I like Ponting.  The way his has taken the abuse over the years with - generally - good grace makes him a pretty strong individual in my view.

I think when the Oval (?) crowd gave him that standing ovation in 2009 was an amazing moment and showed that whilst we (England) abuse him, we realise that he is an absolute class act.

[hilts_coolerking]

I like Ponting.  The way his has taken the abuse over the years with - generally - good grace makes him a pretty strong individual in my view.

I think when the Oval (?) crowd gave him that standing ovation in 2009 was an amazing moment and showed that whilst we (England) abuse him, we realise that he is an absolute class act.

That's why we abuse him.  That and a few minor strops over the years, notably the Gary Pratt runout.

Plus he's the one class act they have left so he's the natural target.  I mean, I can't imagine ever getting that worked up over Marcus North or Ben Hilfenhaus.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

Aussie will win, they're too strong in their own back yard.

Pietersen can't be trusted to regain his form.

[darren woolley]

I think England to win 3-1 hope Ian Bell play's awesome.

[VillaZogmariner]

There is an Ashes thread in the Sports Arena section too.

I'm predicting a 2-2, so we retain the Ashes. Oh, and especially for Mr Cooper -



Not bothering with Perth, but I'll be there for all the rest!

[Dante Lavelli]

Their latest tweets:

Graeme Swann tweets about the long flight to Australia: "Jet lag? Jet lag's for wimps. It takes more than 35 hours awake to get the bett......zzzzzzzzzzzz"

As Jimmy Anderson touches down in Singapore after the first part of the flight to Australia he reveals on Twitter: " "Had good first flight. Bit of reading, series 3 of Inbetweeners and 5 hrs solid kip thanks to Straussy talking me through Zimbabwe's economy"

[Dante Lavelli]

I didn't even know the Sports Area bit existed.  Even more reason to sit on H&V all day.  There's a rugby thread and everthing.

Anyone know how to merge threads?

[Andy Poole]

There is an Ashes thread in the Sports Arena section too.

I'm predicting a 2-2, so we retain the Ashes. Oh, and especially for Mr Cooper -



Not bothering with Perth, but I'll be there for all the rest!

Do you have any idea how many people could be upset by this? I really don't think you'll ever be allowed back in the UK now. You can't afford Rushdie like protection.

[Dave Cooper please]

Might as well put this here:

Something which really annoys me, the way the Australians do the cricket scores.

If you have 230 runs and have lost five wickets then the score is 230/5 NOT 5/230!!

WE INVENTED THE FUCKING GAME, GET IT RIGHT YOU BASTARDS.

[Mazrim]

Yes, that boils my piss too. The score is most important, then the wickets.
Just because you're on the wrong side of the world, it doesn't mean you're obliged to get things arse upwards.

With that out of the way, I've met Ponting and he's a top bloke unfortunately so its hard to dislike him. That doesn't mean I won't be willing Malfoy and Co to tenderise his ribs/smash his grill in during the contest. I genuinely wish this to happen to Shane Watson, the twat.

Really looking forward to this one but it will be bloody hard. We have the slight edge in personnel but its somewhat negated by them having home advantage with a wonky ball.
That said, we have picked an attack for the conditions. Once the sideways (if any) movement leaves the ball you're relying on pace and bounce. When Stuart Broad at 6'6" is the third smallest of your potential attack that's pretty good news.

Nitpicking, I would have taken Shahzad (quick, skiddy, reverse swing and decent batting) instead of Bresnan (who I like) and Rashid (three dimensional cricketer and a fine spinner) instead of Panesar but all in all it looks a strong squad.

Expect the first test team to be:
Strauss, Cook, Trott, Pietersen, Collingwood, Bell, Prior, Broad, Swann, Anderson, Finn.
No real suprises there but if Jimmy isnt getting the movement he needs we could spice it up with Tremlett (6'8"), Finn (6' 8") and Broad (6' 6") and bomb the Aussies from space with Swann settling in at one end.

I expect Flower to have them mentally ready for any Aussie juvenile shenanigans and for the conditions.
He's exactly the sort of character you need to prepare a team for this.


Prediction: 2 - 1 to England with wins in Sydney and Perth. And oh I wish I was going.
Very jealous Villasubmariner. Come back and drive Astute properly and I'll have your tickets.
One day I'm going to make it out there to watch an Ashes series.

[OzVilla]

Believe me when I say that i've yet to see the Aussie media so unsure about an upcoming series. Plenty of debate about team selection and none of the usual bravado and chest thumping.

And so far this last week has seen preperations of England-esque style pantomime proportions.

Australia got hammered last night in the T20 by Sri Lanka (first ever T20 home defeat).  I know it's not the Ashes but it's the kind of thing that sets the tone for the Summer.  That's defeats in their last 5 games of competitive Cricket.

The Aussies have injuries disrupting the team from the Indian tour (Katich fractured thumb can't hold a bat yet, Bolinger stomach muscle injury and can't bowl) and they sacked one of their selectors (Merv Hughes) on Friday.  Shame that as Hughes was an oaf.

They also upset both Mike Hussey and Marcus North by dropping them from the T20 squad so they could play in a Sheffield Shield match for Western Australia against South Australia and get some much needed time in the middle.  Hussey ended up getting a first ball duck and 3, while North got 10.

I know this will probably all mean nothing come the First Test but right now it's fun to watch.

[Dante Lavelli]

Reading the press coverage the England group seem to be a tight bunch and having a good time.  I hope they can maintain this as there will inevitably be periods where their heads are down.

Latest quote I like:

Graeme Swann needed ice treatment and strapping after being struck on the thumb by Tim Bresnan in the first net session on England's tour but the injury is not thought to be serious. "I think he's pleased his thumb got him out of the running session," said team-mate Stuart Broad. (Press Association)

[Simon Ward]

As long as Bresnan is nowhere near the test XI we have a chance!

[Mazrim]

He wouldn't let anybody down but he doesn't quite make the XI by my reckoning.

[The Situation]

Anyone seen the latest Ashes commerical on Sky? It's great. "Get the car started", "How'd ya feel about that Shaaaaaane" - hilraious.

Can't wait until the first bowl in Brisbane.