England in Australia

[aussie1st]

On paper Australia look huge favourites, but this series will be played with plenty of heart by both sides and could be just as good as the last ashes series if England show the same fight.

The Aussies arent used to being put under pressure, usually through hard work and skill they come out on top, but a team with the right spirit and heart can really push the aussies.

I just hope its a frenetic series like the last ashes for everyones sakes.

We should get a clear idea after the first test where Australia are at since the last Ashes. Key points would be how our fab duo go and the batsmen that struggled in the last Ashes.

 

[Octavius]

looks like its going to be perfect weather according to this

http://www.ourbrisbane.com/news/weather/



and i have got the time off to watch every ball, unless it goes into day 5 when ill have to be back

 

[aussie1st]

Thats good to hear as usually Brisbane weather hasn't been too fond of cricket. The last time we had the Kiwis over here with the ODI series locked 1-1 with the eagerly awaited decider in Brisbane being washed out.

 

[Octavius]

yeah i remember and we woulda had yas too! :P

 

[aussie1st]

ENGLAND batsman Ian Bell is in doubt for the Thursday's first Ashes Test against Australia after suffering a wrist injury during a net session today.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,20795653-23212,00.html

That would be a massive blow for England, it would also bring Joyce to make his debut against the mighty Aussies.

 

[ZexyZahid]

I read today Jones and Giles were preferred above Read and Panesar. :laugh Why don't they just hand over the Ashes? With Giles they wanted a bit more runs down the order.

 

[irottev]

It's England with the injury worries this time around.

And you guys realise the Champions Trophy is well over? lol.

 

[aussie1st]

We didn't really have that many injuries last time round, just one freak accident really. England definitely has more than we did last Ashes.

 

[RoboRocks]

This is stupid.
Jones prefered over Read and now Giles preffered over Panesar.
England need to realise that you need good bowlers to bowl sides out and you need a good keeper to take the catches.
Read and Panesar are the best.
England should be relying on the top 6 batsmen to score the runs.

 

[aussie_ben91]

England look to be prepairing themselves to be completely knocked out of the series so much that if Giles & Jones get dropped for Panesar and Read then the Ashes may have already been given away.

Trescothick gone home, Bell now in doubt for 1st test, Vaughan perhaps not playing at all (despite some of you thinking it wouldn't matter anyways) and now some guy I've never really heard of set to make his debut.

 

[aussie1st]

Not much they can do about their injuries, what they can do is attack Australia by picking Panesar and Read. If they truely desperately want an extra batter ok maybe they can pick Giles as he does more good than Jones but no way they should have both playing together.

 

[RoboRocks]

Bell would be a big blow to England from his form in recent times.
He is a different Ian Bell to the one last year, he is more aggressive and you need aggresion against Warne and McGrath to put them off there line.

 

[aussie1st]

They certainly can't afford to lose Bell, a) Joyce comes in for his first test against the Aussies, b) Cook is playing in his first Ashes series and that would put huge pressure on him. Of course then you have pressure put on Collingwood and then the rest of the batters.

 

[Iron-Haggis]

I've been reading some English papers and gotta love some the comments they make. Mark Butcher on Ashley Giles "Developed 'the one that goes straight on' long before the recent crop of mystery spinners. Now he just needs on that spins"

Then there is a bit about when to go to sleep or when to stay up for English fans. "Jones produces fifth spectacular leaping catch of the morning to round of a faultless display of glovemanship" Action - This is a dream. There are plenty of others that are amusing.

I think when Australia wins back the Ashes we should all send a Thank You card to Duncan Fletcher for his poor selection policy.

 

[irottev]

To be honest, if England do lose the ashes it will be because Australia were the better side. Even if England put their best team on the park it probably won't be enough.