The Ashes 2010/11 'down under'

Yes, I'll be home for the start of the first test next week. I'm really looking forward to this series as I think we have a great chance of retaining The Ashes - not sure about all the late nights though!

Should be close. Steve has the shark in full training.

quote:

Originally posted by bazz:
Should be close. Steve has the shark in full training.

It would be churlish to neglect tradition....for Steve:





Mark

Phew, that shark's getting a bit whiffy Mark, wait til you meet our new one

Another summer of fat sunburnt poms with handkerchiefs on their heads bellowing silly songs coming up. At least they won't be able to sing "three of yours (dollars) for one of ours (pounds)" this time.

Looking forward to the series & Brizzie's the perfect place to start, visiting teams rarely win there, the last being the Windies with Viv Richards, Malcolm Marshall et al back in the eighties.

I'm looking forward to it Bazz. Although playing cricket down under is always a huge challenge, I think it will be much closer than for a long, long time. England's tails are up and the Aussies no longer have McGrath and Warne. Those two are amongst, if not the, very greatest bowlers of all time and were always a 'get out of jail free card' for the Aussies. It feels like much more of an even contest this time.

Barmy Army!!!

quote:

Originally posted by bazz:

Another summer of fat sunburnt poms with handkerchiefs on their heads bellowing silly songs coming up.

What could you mean?!!!....

You must be looking forward to it!

quote:

Originally posted by bazz:
Looking forward to the series & Brizzie's the perfect place to start, visiting teams rarely win there, the last being the Windies with Viv Richards, Malcolm Marshall et al back in the eighties.

Visiting teams have also had to compete against "greats" like Warne, McGrath, Hayden, Gilchrist etc etc - not any more! Man for man I think the England team/squad is stronger and I don't think there are many Australian players I would rather see in the England team. I'd love to see a series like 2005 again.

Nah, the humidity and bounce always gets em. Won't be any different this time.

quote:

Originally posted by bazz:
Nah, the humidity and bounce always gets em. Won't be any different this time.

You might find your comments quoted for fun in a few weeks time, then again so might I.

Still England's B attack had a bit more bite than the Aussy B attack in the last warm up game, even if Strauss and Cook had to go and get a whole 9 in the last innings.

Hey that reminds me, where's Steve Harmison? The curve ball could be handy.

Harmison will be in the commentary box, back here in the UK (I think), where he can do little or no damage.

I presume McGrath, Gilchrist and Lee will be doing the same, the difference is they will be missed by their team.

Good to get a war of words going ahead of the real thing, but when it starts it is going to be fun, especially for the English supporters.

Hi Mark

Doesn't time fly, hard to believe it's been four years since this

quote:

Originally posted by Yo-yo Master:
Hi Mark

Doesn't time fly, hard to believe it's been four years since this

Oops the link didn't really work. I was referring to your post with lots of N's and O's!!

quote:

Originally posted by Yo-yo Master:
Hi Mark

Doesn't time fly, hard to believe it's been four years since this

I know, Steve, ready for some more fun?!!

Like that plastic inflatable shark, by the way, very apt! Suits the Aussie team perfectly, looks scarey, but won't take much to deflate!

3-2 to us I fancy. Maybe 4-1.

I'm going to the third day of the Adelaide test. Will we see a repeat of the 2006 Adelaide "unlosable" test? I don't think so. The Aussies aren't that scary these days.

Or are we just toying with you?

quote:

Originally posted by JamieWednesday:
Maybe 4-1.

Yep. Anything less against this current Oz side would be disappointing.

quote:

Originally posted by Yo-yo Master:
Or are we just toying with you?

You wish, I smell your fear.

The essential British sports supporter feels so much happier with the idea of plucky underdog. Hence the current smooth Ashes build-up is giving me the heebejeebies!

I'll be switching my radio on at 4am to catch a bit of the first day play (in the spare room I suspect!).

I'm predicting a 2.1 or 2.0 England win but not very confidently. I do think the Ozzie bowling attack is not as shabby as it has been portrayed, and home advantage is a big plus. I also think that Anderson will not get much swing/joy. And Ian Bell only ever scores runs against weak opposition, never when it counts. And Pietersen may just implode. Cook has dodgy technique. Finn too inexperienced and not quite quick enough....

There I feel better already!


Bruce

quote:

Originally posted by Bruce Woodhouse:
Ian Bell only ever scores runs against weak opposition.

Bruce

He should be in for a sackful then.

Come on Bruce, let's not talk ourselves out of this one. They are there for the taking and there should be no excuses. In for the kill.

Joe

England are a better all round team than Australia and they are worried.

As confidence and the ability to impose your will against the opposition are so crucial in cricket, my expectations are…

- England will NOT loose a test match
- England will WIN more than one test match
- England will retain the ashes

Deep down, Australia are preparing themselves for a complete humiliation

A familiar site in Oz...



G'day

Denis

*

"I just roll up and go whang" - Jeff Thomson