The Ashes Thread

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

First topic message reminder :

Some news from the Aussie camp

Chris Rogers will miss the first test with a head injury
Steve Smith has been promoted to bat 3 (hate it hate it hate it leave him alone)

[VTR]

I'm imagining a parallel conversation going on in some horse-racing forum:

Do you remember when they used to interrupt the horse-racing to go over to the cricket. The horses would be wandering around the paddock, excitement building, then we hear those dreaded words "and back to Mark Nicholas for the fourth day at Lord's"

[kingraf]

Little strange that the odds for an English win has increased, when all that's happened is Ryan Harris has been ruled out. I can only assume this is more a reflection of betting patterns, than anything else.

[Duty281]

then we hear those dreaded words "and back to Mark Nicholas"

They were dreaded words for anyone, cricket fans or otherwise!

[Steffan]

Come on Australia. Get off to a good start in Cardiff

[kingraf]

ECB England and Wales Cricket Board, Steffy. The "Wales" is silent.

[Steffan]

ECB England and Wales Cricket Board, Steffy. The "Wales" is silent.

Meh whatever. Wales should have its own team which is being proposed and "England" cricket team should be playing in England not Wales

Up the Aussies

[Duty281]

Wales has been a part of England since the time of King Henry VIII, so I believe we are playing in England!

[Steffan]

Wales has been a part of England since the time of King Henry VIII, so I believe we are playing in England!

Yeah and my dad is harder than your dad bla bla

Can tell your age by you being a gobby young little pr!ck. If Wales is part of England is then why do you cheer on whoever the Welsh football and rugby team play then?

[Duty281]

Wales has been a part of England since the time of King Henry VIII, so I believe we are playing in England!

If Wales is part of England is then why do you cheer on whoever the Welsh football and rugby team play then?

I don't! Hope the Welsh beat the Australians at the rugby this year. 

[Hammersmith harrier]

Wales has been a part of England since the time of King Henry VIII, so I believe we are playing in England!

Yeah and my dad is harder than your dad bla bla

Can tell your age by you being a gobby young little pr!ck. If Wales is part of England is then why do you cheer on whoever the Welsh football and rugby team play then?

In retaliation to you stalking any board when any English national team or English sportsmen is competing just to say how much you want them to lose perhaps, quite sad really.

Nationalism should be about focusing on your positives rather than being negative about others.

[Duty281]

Wales has been a part of England since the time of King Henry VIII, so I believe we are playing in England!

Yeah and my dad is harder than your dad bla bla

Can tell your age by you being a gobby young little pr!ck. If Wales is part of England is then why do you cheer on whoever the Welsh football and rugby team play then?

In retaliation to you stalking any board when any English national team or English sportsmen is competing just to say how much you want them to lose perhaps, quite sad really.

Nationalism should be about focusing on your positives rather than being negative about others.

Quite agree, Hammersmith.

Steffan seems to be quite confused. He supports any one who plays England (football/cricket/rugby union/league etc.) and thinks this is reciprocated across the board by the English towards the Welsh.

[Steffan]

Wales has been a part of England since the time of King Henry VIII, so I believe we are playing in England!

If Wales is part of England is then why do you cheer on whoever the Welsh football and rugby team play then?

I don't! Hope the Welsh beat the Australians at the rugby this year. 

Well Wales is owned by England after all apparently...

I got no problem with the England rugby team at least we call a spade a spade there unlike cricket where we have all these bandwagon jumpers in Wales supporting the England cricket team and all the English moaning that they are playing in Cardiff (which is fair enough) and people suggesting Wales are represented even though Wales in nowhere in the name at all. I wonder if all these England cricket fans from Wales would be happy if the same situation happened in rugby or football

My beef isn't with England cricket though. Its with the Welsh traitors who support them and the Welsh cricket people for lacking any ambition

[kingraf]

Anyway, the more I look, the harder it is to go with an English win. Aus have the form players, the better squad. The more match winners, the recent form. 9/2 on England seems really kind actually.

[Steffan]

He supports any one who plays England (football/cricket/rugby union/league etc.) and thinks this is reciprocated across the board by the English towards the Welsh

Andora v Wales

https://www.606v2.com/t55361-wales-the-long-and-winding-road-to-france

Get in there Lima.

Oh my.

Wales one down to Andorra!

The money lost is paid back in laughter!

You were saying?

[Steffan]

Anyway, the more I look, the harder it is to go with an English win. Aus have the form players, the better squad. The more match winners, the recent form. 9/2 on England seems really kind actually.

What is your prediction for the series then?

[Hammersmith harrier]

He supports any one who plays England (football/cricket/rugby union/league etc.) and thinks this is reciprocated across the board by the English towards the Welsh

Andora v Wales

https://www.606v2.com/t55361-wales-the-long-and-winding-road-to-france

Get in there Lima.

Oh my.

Wales one down to Andorra!

The money lost is paid back in laughter!

You were saying?

What I said still holds true, it's in retaliation to your constant anyone but England attitude.

[Steffan]

What I said still holds true, it's in retaliation to your constant anyone but England attitude

There proof is there mate. So no it does not stand true. Not with you anyway

[Duty281]

He supports any one who plays England (football/cricket/rugby union/league etc.) and thinks this is reciprocated across the board by the English towards the Welsh

Andora v Wales

https://www.606v2.com/t55361-wales-the-long-and-winding-road-to-france

Get in there Lima.

Oh my.

Wales one down to Andorra!

The money lost is paid back in laughter!

You were saying?

Very selective of you, Steffan! From the same thread:

so..er...you know...Come on Wales!

As I want Wales to qualify, I am not quite sure how this will be enjoyable.

Twas a good point for Wales against Bosnia. Hopefully they can back that up with three points tonight, which will keep them right in the mix ahead of next month's difficult game away to Belgium.

Marvellous rearguard, and not too far away from snatching all three points either.

Well done Wales.

[kingraf]

Anyway, I think it should be close. Ashes 2005 had an even bigger chasm between the sides if I'm honest. But Australia are just so far ahead on so many key points... I can't see anything but an Aus win

[Hammersmith harrier]

What I said still holds true, it's in retaliation to your constant anyone but England attitude

There proof is there mate. So no it does not stand true. Not with you anyway

What proof that I along with Duty are sick to death of your 'anyone but England' attitude so have decided to reply in kind, you post comments like that to get a rise and Dave was right from the start you should have been banned long ago.

[Steffan]

[quote="Duty281"]

He supports any one who plays England (football/cricket/rugby union/league etc.) and thinks this is reciprocated across the board by the English towards the Welsh

Andora v Wales

https://www.606v2.com/t55361-wales-the-long-and-winding-road-to-france

Get in there Lima.

Oh my.

Wales one down to Andorra!

The money lost is paid back in laughter!

You were saying?

Very selective of you, Steffan! From the same thread:

so..er...you know...Come on Wales!

As I want Wales to qualify, I am not quite sure how this will be enjoyable.

Twas a good point for Wales against Bosnia. Hopefully they can back that up with three points tonight, which will keep them right in the mix ahead of next month's difficult game away to Belgium.

Marvellous rearguard, and not too far away from snatching all three points either.

Well done Wales.

Yes well you are a bit different to HH I will say that for you

I don't care whether you cheer on Wales or not. You are English after all (when not sporting the "Cornish card") but I have the right to cheer on the Aussies in the Ashes. Which I will

Accept this and lets move on and all enjoy the games without argument

[Steffan]

What I said still holds true, it's in retaliation to your constant anyone but England attitude

There proof is there mate. So no it does not stand true. Not with you anyway

What proof that I along with Duty are sick to death of your 'anyone but England' attitude so have decided to reply in kind, you post comments like that to get a rise and Dave was right from the start you should have been banned long ago.

Banned for not supporting England in sport?

Not sure how that figures

So moving on...series prediction?

[Steffan]

My prediction by the way is the Aussies winning the series by:

3 Victories
1 Draw
1 Defeat

That being said if you lot get off to a good start in Cardiff that could change. My cricket predictions are never that good mind

[Duty281]

3-0 to the blokes over the Tamar.

[JDizzle]

Just back to the subject of no terrestial TV coverage, whilst I can't deny I love the coverage Sky provide and watch as much as I can; I was at my junior coaching tonight and the vast majority of our kids (aged 7-11) don't even watch cricket at home. Unfortunately I didn't have time to conduct a thorough survey as to who had Sky and who didn't (they were more interested in harrassing wild animals), this clearly isn't a good thing.

[jimbohammers]

Steffan, Duty, keep your handbags for the school playground please.

Back to the Ashes....

Interested to see Hazlewood bowl and will Mitchell Marsh be picked over Shane Watson?

I think the Aussies will win 2-1, unfortunately. Warner top batsman.

[Steffan]

Steffan, Duty, keep your handbags for the school playground please.

Back to the Ashes....

Me and Duty are fine he just catches me at the wrong moments when deciding to try and push my buttons

First ball around 11am tomorrow I am guessing. Agree with other people that its a shame its not on terrestrial but I guess that goes for most sports in the UK

Bloody Rupert Murdoch

[Jetty]

I am thinking if DBD and Bopara can get 100 against the Aussies there is hope for us.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Right my official ashes predictions

Final score - 2-1 Australia

England lead run scorer - Gary Ballance
England lead wicket taker - Stuart broad

Australia lead run scorer - Dave Warner
Australia lead wicket taker - Mitchell Starc

[Stella]

Big call on Ballance, olly.

[kingraf]

I'm actually a little excited for this. Maybe it's the fact that we haven't had a test for six months, and the Pakistan series just put me in the mood. As did the NZ Eng series... It's been a good year for Test cricket - fantastic Tests all around, record crowds - and I hope this lives up to its billing as the centrepiece.

[VTR]

Glenn McGrath predicting a whitewash. Ok, we expect that by now, but what we don't expect is him to justify it by banging on about the Aussies being number one in the rankings. Check the bl00dy things before shooting your mouth off Glenn!

[kingraf]

You only have yourself to blame for reading past Glenn McGrath's 5-0 prediction.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Big call on Ballance, olly.

I don't think predicting the guy who averages over 50 in tests to score the most runs is that big a surprise

[VTR]

You only have yourself to blame for reading past Glenn McGrath's 5-0 prediction.

I heard it on the radio on the way to work. I could hardly shut my ears off as the nonsense came over the airwaves!

[Stella]

Big call on Ballance, olly.

I don't think predicting the guy who averages over 50 in tests to score the most runs is that big a surprise

Not that black and white is it? I'm hoping he will score a few as some have have written him off already, though I remain unconvinced he'll get loads of runs.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Big call on Ballance, olly.

I don't think predicting the guy who averages over 50 in tests to score the most runs is that big a surprise

Not that black and white is it? I'm hoping he will score a few as some have have written him off already, though I remain unconvinced he'll get loads of runs.

Is for me - he's not the first or last batsman to go through a drop in form and he won't be the last to struggle against Trent Boult either.

Matter of fact is despite this bad patch he still averages over 50 and has what 5/6 hundreds in 13 (??) Tests.

[kingraf]

It's like when Ponting was facing the end of the barrel (although Ballance will obviously at some point bounce back, you'd think). Some said he only had three centuries in his last 36 Tests. I assume Olly would have been saying he has 45 Test centuries. Glass half full kinda guy, is our Olly Inwards. At least that's what I tell myself when he backs Norwich

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

I just find out funny we write people off after one bad series, people have done the same with Moeen. Players won't play well all the time.

[Pal Joey]

4-1 Australia but one will probably go to the weather so 3-1 more realistically.
We need to at least level the "away" tally 48-all then hopefully work towards 48-50/51 at series end.

England lead run scorer - Joe Root
England lead wicket taker - Stuart Broad

Australia lead run scorer - Steve Smith
Australia lead wicket taker - Mitchell Starc

Based on recent results (in the West Indies and also the World Cup win... both victories will have greatly boosted confidence) and steady improvements to the side, I believe Australia has more of an edge. We just need proper respect for the England bowlers and application at the crease to assert some sort of dominance, then hopefully turn the screws at the appropriate point in time. I do realise there are risks involved - it can all implode on occasion - or, on the other hand, it can be a delight to watch as the team enters into a more aggressive mode of play.

I do sincerely hope things remain civil on (and off) the field. No need to goad opponents and sledge and carry on in threatening ways to certain players. That's never right in any situation, let alone on a cricket field.

Maybe England will be searching for a similar sort of approach. They do have players who can put pressure back on the bowlers and we do know they can make fairly decent, if not very respectable starts. They just need to persevere that little bit harder and make more hay when the opportunity arises. On the bowling front: we all know that a couple of incisive breakthroughs can change the course of not only a match... but the remaining matches in the series.

Wishing you all well and the best of luck in the coming weeks, fellas!

[Stella]

I just find out funny we write people off after one bad series, people have done the same with Moeen. Players won't play well all the time.

Well I have written him off. I think most are still in two minds about him. Come September, we'll know more.

[Stella]

4-1 Australia but one will probably go to the weather so 3-1 more realistically.
We need to at least level the "away" tally 48-all then hopefully work towards 48-50/51 at series end.

England lead run scorer - Joe Root
England lead wicket taker - Stuart Broad

Australia lead run scorer - Steve Smith
Australia lead wicket taker - Mitchell Starc

Based on recent results (in the West Indies and also the World Cup win... both victories will have greatly boosted confidence) and steady improvements to the side, I believe Australia has more of an edge. We just need proper respect for the England bowlers and application at the crease to assert some sort of dominance, then hopefully turn the screws at the appropriate point in time. I do realise there are risks involved - it can all implode on occasion - or, on the other hand, it can be a delight to watch as the team enters into a more aggressive mode of play.

I do sincerely hope things remain civil on (and off) the field. No need to goad opponents and sledge and carry on in threatening ways to certain players. That's never right in any situation, let alone on a cricket field.

Maybe England will be searching for a similar sort of approach. They do have players who can put pressure back on the bowlers and we do know they can make fairly decent, if not very respectable starts. They just need to persevere that little bit harder and make more hay when the opportunity arises. On the bowling front: we all know that a couple of incisive breakthroughs can change the course of not only a match... but the remaining matches in the series.

Wishing you all well and the best of luck in the coming weeks, fellas!

Nothing wrong with a bit of sledging.

[liverbnz]

Aus will win. England do not have 20 wickets in them unless conditions are heavily in their favour or Wood bursts onto the world radar with an MOTS performance.

[guildfordbat]

Right my official ashes predictions

Final score - 2-1 Australia

England lead run scorer - Gary Ballance
England lead wicket taker - Stuart broad

Australia lead run scorer - Dave Warner
Australia lead wicket taker - Mitchell Starc

Hi guys,

Ok, I'll go -

Series result: 3-1 Australia

England lead run scorer: Alastair Cook
England lead wicket taker: Stuart Broad

Australia lead run scorer: Steve Smith
Australia lead wicket taker: Mitchell Starc.

Pretty similar to the call from my Australian cyber friend Loaded Dog (hope you saw my earlier expert analysis of the Chelmsford track, LD.! )

Found Australia's lead wicket taker the hardest one to take even a wild guess on. Feel that could be influenced by too many variabless - injury, enforced rest and rotation. As my man Lyon is the one most likely to play all Tests, he could be an outside bet here.

Don't think Olly's punt on Ballance is totally ridiculous (he's made more crazier calls on the Surrey threads! ) but he will need to do at least fairly well in the first two Tests if only to consolidate his spot. I've gone for Cook here. I certainly don''t feel he'll dominate the series but I can see him making a couple of big uns. Barring absolute carnage, his place should be assured throughout the series which also helps!

[kingraf]

Good thing it's a home series where they can stack conditions heavily in their favour then.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

I just find out funny we write people off after one bad series, people have done the same with Moeen. Players won't play well all the time.

Well I have written him off. I think most are still in two minds about him. Come September, we'll know more.

On Moeen there's only one English spinner in the last 20 odd years with a lower test average than him - Swann. Yet he isn't good enough. Hmm

[Azzy]

COME ON ENGLAND!

[Stella]

I just find out funny we write people off after one bad series, people have done the same with Moeen. Players won't play well all the time.

Well I have written him off. I think most are still in two minds about him. Come September, we'll know more.

On Moeen there's only one English spinner in the last 20 odd years with a lower test average than him - Swann. Yet he isn't good enough. Hmm

I was on about Ballance, but the same goes for Moen, if I'm being honest

[Pal Joey]

I do sincerely hope things remain civil on (and off) the field. No need to goad opponents and sledge and carry on in threatening ways to certain players. That's never right in any situation, let alone on a cricket field.

Nothing wrong with a bit of sledging.

It depends on what/who the subject is and how it is delivered I suppose. A lot of it is just pure nasty and unsportsmanlike.
Not saying there should be no talk out there... urging the team along. That's all fine.

However, some players need to draw the line on more personal verbal attacks and those instances where it almost becomes a physical intimidation.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Well only time will tell young Stella

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