The Ashes 2009

TrueDub

The first test starts in Cardiff on July 8th. What do people think about the prospects for this series?

I'm thinking that both teams are weak, definitely weaker than 2005, the last Ashes series in England. The Aussies aren't sure which is their best team, and their spin resources are extremely depleted. Their batting is definitely of better potential than England's, although it seems brittle of late.

England's top order are good when they're good, awful when they're not. A lot depends on Bopara and Petersen, as the lower order don't look like they'll hold up that long.

England's bowlers should be better, as it's their home turf, but with the exception of Mitchell Johnson the Aussies aren't world-beaters. Mind you, this is in comparison to previous years, and as we all know bowlers like Warne, McGrath and Gillespie don't grow on trees. It could be Brett Lee's series, if he puts his mind to it.

All in all, I reckon it's too close to call. I'm hoping for some good cricket, and a tough contest.

dereko1969

Yeah agreed it's going to be close, it had better be as I've tickets to the 4th Test!

Neither side look that good at the moment but that could make the games even more exciting as you just don't know what will happen.

d'Oracle

I say Aussie.

They have a lot of potential in the pace attack.
Brett Lee gets back and you have Him and Mitch Johnson with the new ball.

They also have a tricky med pacer or two.

Look for a good series from swann.

legend73

I think the difference will be Hughes, England will be happy to see the back of him every innings in the series.

It will be maybe 2 or 3 results and 2 or 3 drawers, so toss of a coin who gets the result on the 5th day.

Dozen Wicked Words

It would be nice to have a series as close as 2005, played in that spirit. The following series in Australia was niggly and so one sided it wasn't particularly interesting, unless you are an Aussie of course!

Playing Monty, even on a Bunsen, would be risky as he is woefully out of form and a shoeing from a couple of Aussies would just finish him off. Rashid would also be a risk as he is untested and ? prone to struggling under pressure. I would stick with Swann as only spinner.

2-1 either way, but hopefully England will nick it.

simonrooneyzaga

my ashes prediction:

Brett Lee to take 2 wickets in the series and bowl 3,492 no balls.

legend73

simonrooneyzaga wrote: »

my ashes prediction:

Brett Lee to take 2 wickets in the series and bowl 3,492 no balls.

Did you think this up yourself or hire a sitcom writer!

Brett Lee probably wont get a game the way he is travelling.

Gyalist

My prediction; Australia to win a closely-fought series. Peter Siddle will be a revelation.

TrueDub

simonrooneyzaga wrote: »

my ashes prediction:

Brett Lee to take 2 wickets in the series and bowl 3,492 no balls.

Brett Lee today, versus the England Lions: 18-5-47-5.

I wouldn't give up the day job Simon!

Spiritoftheseventies

yes having seen the twenty 20 world cup may tune in to watch a bit of it. on subject of cricket has anyone any thoughts on bowling style of Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka). is it totally legal.

simonrooneyzaga

in my defence he has bowled a good few no balls too! :-)

Dozen Wicked Words

bayviewclose wrote: »

yes having seen the twenty 20 world cup may tune in to watch a bit of it. on subject of cricket has anyone any thoughts on bowling style of Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka). is it totally legal.

Think it is legal, unorthodox but within the rules of the game.

Marshy

Its a very close series to call but I give England the edge based on Australia's lack of variety bowling wise. There's talk of them not even bothering with Hauritz for the 1st Test and if that's the case all they'll have are quicks and part-time spinners.

Think of how important Warne was for them in 2005 (40 wickets) and that was even in a losing cause. If the pitches are flat turners as most of them will likely be I find it hard to see the Australian attack picking up 20 wickets.

TrueDub

bayviewclose wrote: »

yes having seen the twenty 20 world cup may tune in to watch a bit of it. on subject of cricket has anyone any thoughts on bowling style of Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka). is it totally legal.

Malinga's bowling action is totally legal. Unorthodox, and in some ways ugly, but legal.

Spiritoftheseventies

yeah but from what i could see he wasnt bowling overarm.

kyp_durron

Why are the Aussies sticking with Hauritz? He is mediocre at best, I get the 'tie down an end' thing but that seems very negative for an Australian team, especially seeing as Lee is just back from injury and Johnson was looking a bit flat today against the Lions. Would they be better off with Krejza or Bo Casson, perhaps even Bryce McGain (lol)?

I think England have a great chance, but it should be tight.

legend73

Harmisson is staking a claim! Hughes out twice in the Lions game. Bing will get a shot with 6 wickets, reverse swing apparntley taking 5 wickets in 40 balls.

Monkeybonkers

Well Harmison didn't make the squad. I'd say he's sick as he defo had the measure of Hughes in the Lions game and I thought he bowled well. Can't wait for the series to start. Aussies haven't looked that convincing from what I've seen of them in the warm up matches. England have a chance if their batting doesn't suffer a collapse, which it can do at times, as I don't think Aus bowling attack is as strong as it has been in recent times. Thanks to Fianna Fáil I will be able to watch most of the matches live and not just highlights this year. Bring it on!

Spiritoftheseventies

Monkeybonkers wrote: »

Well Harmison didn't make the squad. I'd say he's sick as he defo had the measure of Hughes in the Lions game and I thought he bowled well. Can't wait for the series to start. Aussies haven't looked that convincing from what I've seen of them in the warm up matches. England have a chance if their batting doesn't suffer a collapse, which it can do at times, as I don't think Aus bowling attack is as strong as it has been in recent times. Thanks to Fianna Fáil I will be able to watch most of the matches live and not just highlights this year. Bring it on!

are highlights been shown on terrestial tv

Monkeybonkers

Not too sure. I think BBC usually show the highlights in the evenings but I'm open to correction.

Btw, Australia ftw!

Dozen Wicked Words

Brett Lee out of first Test, I'm sure England are pleased after his performance against the Lions (or England A as I prefer to call them)

d'Oracle

dooferoaks wrote: »

Brett Lee out of first Test, I'm sure England are pleased after his performance against the Lions (or England A as I prefer to call them)

Im sure they are.
But B. Leap shouldn't be their biggest worry.

Mitch is the form guy.

kyp_durron

d'Oracle wrote: »

Im sure they are.
But B. Leap shouldn't be their biggest worry.

Mitch is the form guy.

He didn't look too good in the warm-up match against England A

boccy23

Monkeybonkers wrote: »

Not too sure. I think BBC usually show the highlights in the evenings but I'm open to correction.

Btw, Australia ftw!

No coverage on the BBC anyway. Radio coverage there only.

Not sure about C4 or C5.

dereko1969

Ashes fantasy competition being run by Trent Johnston in aid of fun and Railway Union, get in quick though
http://www.railwayunioncc.com/ASHES_RULES_2009_SERIES.pdf

chezzer

How long will the Ashes last ? how many tests is it ?


- excuse my ignorance of Cricket

TrueDub

chezzer wrote: »

How long will the Ashes last ? how many tests is it ?

5 Tests, each of 5 days duration.

chezzer wrote: »

- excuse my ignorance of Cricket

No worries, no better place to learn!

HonalD

Aussies to struggle - at least England look like they are going to be playing an Aussie team that has everything going against them at the moment.

Lee is a big loss, mitch is a great bowler but the brits should have enough to put them away and go one up.....We'll see!

Washout

I am predicting series drawn on this one it really is too close to call.

2-2 with one test match affected by weather.

_blank_

Anyone watching on a stream?

Dan Dare

Nope. Listening to it on Radio 4 longwave. Hope England win. I don't expect it will be as compelling as the 2005 Ashes.

_blank_

Found a stream

http://f1sportsblog.blogspot.com/

Washout

Des wrote: »

Anyone watching on a stream?

ive got sky player but its crap. about to email them...i cant really have p2p running at work.


reverted to TMS on bbc website... surprised its working in ireland

kyp_durron

Damn, what a catch by Hussey.

El Ninotorres

Can't really see England winning. Hopefully they dont, anyone know why no highlights programme on? Have sky got that too!

_blank_

Why is Flintoff so far down the batting order?

Royale with Cheese

Des wrote: »

Why is Flintoff so far down the batting order?

Because he hasn't consistently made runs in a long long time, no way I'd put him ahead of Prior.

cardshark202

anyone have a stream

Big Vern

Listening to it on BBC Radio, link on the BBC Sport website:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/video_and_audio/help_guide/8078737.stm

Good start for the Aussies, but England starting move on and adding a few runs now....

_blank_

KP and Collingwood both ticking along nicely now, both have the 50 up and England pushing on to 200/3

Monkeybonkers

Aussies really missing a breakthrough bowler in the Warne/McGrath mould that they can turn to. In fairness to England they've kept it ticking along nicely. Not a whole lot of excitement at the moment but it's only the first day I suppose.

Washout

Pietersen has a brainfart

tries to sweep a ball miles outside the off stump

_blank_

Royale with Cheese wrote: »

Because he hasn't consistently made runs in a long long time, no way I'd put him ahead of Prior.

Well, the pair of them are doing wonderful work this afternoon

Monkeybonkers

I would have put it honours even with 5 overs to go but with those last two wickets that Aus got I'd say that they edged the day in the end.

Dozen Wicked Words

Monkeybonkers wrote: »

I would have put it honours even with 5 overs to go but with those last two wickets that Aus got I'd say that they edged the day in the end.

Yep, reckon you are right, still a close enough game to give both teams hope.
I don't see too many more runs being added to the overnight score, so they look at least 50 runs short.

England must be hoping the pitch will deteriorate enough to mean the selection of two spinners (including an out of form Monty) will pay off.

dfx-

Anderson as night-watchman protecting Broad, Swann and Panesar :pac:

Royale with Cheese

Swann hits 3 fours in a row, the final one being a reverse sweep. Ridiculous stuff.

400 up in no time with 2 wickets left, good morning so far for England.

simonrooneyzaga

anderson just tried to reverse sweep it!!!

Great start from england, the aussie attack just doesnt look too threatening

Washout

they miss lee....I am sure he would have mopped up this tail.

kyp_durron

Silly shot by Jimmeh

Monkeybonkers

Well, Englands tail wagged and wagged hard! That was a brilliant morning for them and they have added nearly 100 to the total making it very respectable. Australia have a tough job ahead of them.
The Aussie bowling attack is pretty tame really, they defo miss Lee. Hopefully their batting line up will do well. Game on, big time.