Ashes thread - England vs Australia * SPOILERS *

Compound · 19 Nov 2006 at 21:46

Surely no sports arena is complete without its own dedicated ashes thread!

Anyway, im certainly excited by the upcoming series and i just hope we give them a fight as good as last time.

Looks like a few of our batsmen have spent some valuable time in the middle and the bowlers have taken a few scalps, the only worry being Harmisons fitness!

Big Kev · 19 Nov 2006 at 22:46

I think we're going to miss Jones, Trescothick and possibly Harmison, which could cost us dearly, especially when the Aussies will be going for a whitewash and to get the Ashes back.

Here's hoping though.

Toryglen-boy · 19 Nov 2006 at 23:15

come on Australia !!

platty · 21 Nov 2006 at 14:58

Another injury worry for England, Ian Bell having a problem with his wrist.

Australia have Shane Watson out with his hamstring injury.

Red and White · 21 Nov 2006 at 15:15

the lack of Vaughnys tactical nouse is where we will fall down.

Mr Nice · 21 Nov 2006 at 15:17

Clerkin said:
the lack of Vaughnys tactical nouse is where we will fall down.

Nope that would be Duncan Fletcher and the medical staff

marscay · 21 Nov 2006 at 22:18

england will get battered

platty · 22 Nov 2006 at 17:37

Lot of people seem to be suggesting Giles will get the nod ahead of Panesar. A decision I really can not understand if true.

Hes not played a competitive game for the best part of a year. He was left out of the last warm up game so hasn't even been able to get himself more match fit pre-series. Finally it would send the wrong message out saying we don't trust out batsmen to score enough runs and we not gonna come at the Aussies like we did last time.

Betfair look like they've stopped taking bets for Giles now, god help us.

ringo747 · 22 Nov 2006 at 18:58

england will retain this without a bother.. vaughan is still around so can provide advice if needed but im sure freddie will do the job!

Its the aussies that are under pressure.

Id say Giles in instead of Monty on the fast pitches.

Then again iv only followed cricket since ashes last yr so what would I know!

Anyone know if i can watch this on the internet anywhere?

platty · 22 Nov 2006 at 19:12

I'd go for Monty on the fast pitches too tbh. Old Trafford was the fastest pitch this summer and he got 8 wickets.

Mr Nice · 22 Nov 2006 at 19:38

But looks like Fletcher has picked Giles ahead of Monty.

NOICE ONE DUNC! :rolleyes:

Big Kev · 22 Nov 2006 at 19:47

Mr Nice said:
But looks like Fletcher has picked Giles ahead of Monty.

NOICE ONE DUNC!

They're thinking of the batting and Ashley is a far better batsman than Monty and is also less likely to freeze on the big occasion, especially with the Aussie supporters aiming to extract the Michael out of Monty at every opportunity.

SoliD · 22 Nov 2006 at 19:48

Ooh cant wait now, seems like forever since that glorious series last summer, hope it is exciting and nailbiting as last time, and hopefully england will come out on top, but with the injuries I do not personally see us retaining the ashes, but ill be cheering on England come 11.30 tonight.

Mr Nice · 22 Nov 2006 at 19:57

Big Kev said:
They're thinking of the batting and Ashley is a far better batsman than Monty and is also less likely to freeze on the big occasion, especially with the Aussie supporters aiming to extract the Michael out of Monty at every opportunity.

I understand that, but on a 4th/5th day pitch Monty will get wickets. Giles has not played in a year and I think will not be able to bowl the requisite number of overs

platty · 22 Nov 2006 at 19:59

True Giles is the better batter but I think we need Monty's bowling. Harmison hasn't looked right for a while, both Flintoff and Anderson have been out for a few months and aren't exactly 100% with no match practice. If you pick Giles that gives us three bowlers who are coming back from injuries and aren't 100% match fit and 1 in Harmison who's had to miss warm up games with a side strain and isn't in the best of form.

That doesn't look promising going up against some of the best batsmen in world cricket on their home tracks.

Pookie Bear · 22 Nov 2006 at 22:32

Walked past a big advertising board on the way to work this morning. Had Strauss in the background, punching the air, with Shane Warne in the foreground on the right-hand side, looking a little dejected. Underneath it said "The Ashes: Pros and Cons".

Had a good chuckle to myself.

platty · 22 Nov 2006 at 23:03

Team news according to the BBC:

Strauss, Cook, Bell, Pietersen, Collingwood, Flintoff, Jones, Giles, Harmison, Anderson, Hoggard

England start off their Ashes campaign in defensive mode.

Hinchy55 · 22 Nov 2006 at 23:47

Australia win the toss and elect to bat.

I wish i had sky at uni

......
I wish i didn't have 9am lecture

......
I wish for some early wickets.....

platty · 22 Nov 2006 at 23:48

Hinchy55 said:
I wish for some early wickets.....

Don't worry we have Ashley Giles :rolleyes:

Hopefully i'm proved wrong.

Morba · 23 Nov 2006 at 00:03

surely that first ball was worth 3 wides?

caught by a slip!!!