The Ashes 2010-2011

[Gavin Archery]

We have a few cricket enthusiasts on here so thought I'd start a thread for the upcoming series in Australia.

I hope KP and AC both find their form and our bowlers tear into the Aussies and keep them on their toes. I'm going for an England series win 2-1 with two drawn tests. Thoughts anyone else?

[SteMerritt]

As much as I would like to be confident, the England batting collapse is a phenomenon which is all too vivid in my memory. If the Middlesex boys can hit the ground running we have a great chance, but I won't be confident until we cross the line.

Big players for me: Strauss, Anderson and Swann. Get these 3 going and we have a great chance.

[foghornleghorn]

I think we do well on low scoring pitches, we'll struggle every time we are set a target of 400 or more. Their openers are pretty inexperienced so it wont be a disaster if we loose the toss, we need to set about them.

[Worcester Yellow]

I would be a lot more confident if cook was replaced by Morgan so that Trott could open the batting. But anyway, feel like we can go out there and nick it. We have the best spinner in the world, and a pace attack that is quick, bouncy and dangerous. With a pitch that shuld favour the england seam attack in the first test, i think we can grab an early lead and go on from there.

[Gavin Archery]

I'd like to think Cook will conquer his demons and put together a few decent innings in this series. He has the ability. And if he and Strauss can get going who knows. We have a good chance, and just have to take it.

[foghornleghorn]

Big worry for me is Peterson. He is going to have to play a part sometime in the series if we going to win. If we loose the first test and peterson doesn't contribute then the press will go after him for the rest of the series. That wont help the team.

[chris1986]

Cook had a ton in the last warm-up match so hopefully getting back to form.

I see the 4 main bowlers (Broad, Anderson, Swann and Finn) are all missing the last warm-up game to go up to Brisbane early to "acclimatise"

[Boogaloo]

I'm going for a 2-1 England victory. Aussies will win the first. KP will get off to a slow start, but produce a magnificinent ton at the MCG to help clinch the Ashes - he always has a habit of turning it on when he needs to.

Strauss, Swann and Anderson will be the key players. I also reckon Steven Finn will have a good series too.

[Gavin Archery]

Nov 15, 2010 12:47:30 GMT Boogaloo said:

I'm going for a 2-1 England victory. Aussies will win the first. KP will get off to a slow start, but produce a magnificinent ton at the MCG to help clinch the Ashes - he always has a habit of turning it on when he needs to.

Strauss, Swann and Anderson will be the key players. I also reckon Steven Finn will have a good series too.

If KP turns it on. Not a big if but an if nevertheless. I'm quietly confident, but was for the ashes series here last year. Particularly when Anderson and Panesar held out for a draw at Cardiff. Great times.

[Grampsioli....]

Nov 15, 2010 12:38:45 GMT chris1986 said:

Cook had a ton in the last warm-up match so hopefully getting back to form.

I see the 4 main bowlers (Broad, Anderson, Swann and Finn) are all missing the last warm-up game to go up to Brisbane early to "acclimatise"

didn't realise that! could back fire - I would've thought time in the middle was vital.

Good to see most of the batsmen scored some runs in the last warm up.

[Worcester Yellow]

the last practice match is in Hobart though, a pitch nothing like Brisbane. I agree with the decision to send them straight to Brisbane, a seam friendly arena. The first test is arguably the match most suited to England and so i expect England to really push for an opening victory.

[Boogaloo]

Nov 15, 2010 15:01:58 GMT Grampsioli.... said:

Nov 15, 2010 12:38:45 GMT chris1986 said:

Cook had a ton in the last warm-up match so hopefully getting back to form.

I see the 4 main bowlers (Broad, Anderson, Swann and Finn) are all missing the last warm-up game to go up to Brisbane early to "acclimatise"

didn't realise that! could back fire - I would've thought time in the middle was vital.

Good to see most of the batsmen scored some runs in the last warm up.

Being bowlers they probably don't need as much time out in the middle as say, KP or Cook, but then again if Cardiff last year was anything to go by, Jimmy Anderson's batting could be very handy! ;D

[Best Mate]

I am one of Jimmy's biggest fans.

But his record in Oz is horrific. I think he is an improved bowler but think it is more likely he will have a 'longer spell' stop gap bowler role here (ala Hoggard) once the first 10 overs are bowled and the ball has stopped swinging.

Strauss, Swann and Broad are my key men.

The first two are obvious picks.

Broad will need to bat on probably 3 occassions with England in trouble at 200/6 and it will need him to knuckle down with the batter and the tail to ensure we get to 300. Also, think his bowling style will be suited by Oz pitches.

Can't wait.

Excited tonights warm up game is on. Will watch the beginning in the hope we bat.

[chris1986]

Well England are bowling in the warm-up tonight so we're not going to learn very much.

[chris1986]

I start a new full time job on the 1st, 8am start so not going to see too much cricket (I need my 8 hours ;D). Finished my old job already so might try and watch some of the 1st test depending on how well we are doing!

[junior1]

aus a are looking solid, not a bad backdrop for the ground!

[junior1]

woop woop another wicket! 41-2

[junior1]

bresnan got a wicket now 48-3

[headlesspnub]

And there goes another one. Good to see the England 'A' bowlers on song!

[chris1986]

and a 3rd