I'm looking forward to this now and think it'll be closer than many feel despite the disarray the Aussies have found themselves in.

The top 7 is 99% confirmed.

Who joins Jimmy and Swann in the attack? If Broad is fully fit he'll be there then it'll be one of Finn, Bresnan and Onions.

Bresnan won't have done his hopes any harm with his ton as the selectors like players who can do a bit of both, Onions hasn't quite done enough for me but I still think I'd go with Finn for wicket taking ability.

It's not the strongest bowling attack we've ever had but should have enough

surely they arent THAT insecure about our batting that they will pick Bresnan over a decent bowler?

And if Bresnan plays and takes wickets I will edit this and just say I told you so.

Lets hope peterson is fully fit.

The only real debate is Finn or Bresnan. Reckon Finn will start the series and Bresnan might come in later depending on form.

Isn't this what happened in last series over there? Finn played the first few tests and despite taking loads of wickets was replaced by Bresnan

Bresnan's reverse swing will be more than useful in conditions that will suit him but I have more faith in Finn's bowling.

Finn has proved at times that his batting isn't too shoddy either

I can see the Aussies winning, our batting has been fragile vs New Zealand, and the experienced pros they have bought in may shore them up

Hopefully we in but it will be close

You really are a joyous soul.

The gap will be about as huge as the one between Hartlepool United and Darlington C30-C60-C90 Go.

Series win, 5-0.

Tell me who these experienced pros are they've brought in? I'm intrigued

Chris Rodgers who wouldn't have been anywhere near the Aussie team five years ago. He's a decent player though and has been playing over here for years so could do well.

and errrrrmmm.


If England's batting is fragile, what is the Aussies??

It will still be a tough series the Aussies won't roll over but we'll have to play badly to lose.

With lovely weather forecast Swann will be the key, they simply don't have a spinner good enough to worry us. Panesar could even get a game at some point.

We'll destroy the Aussies.

They'll be a better team now Arthur's been sacked but realistically the Aussies are just 10 average players and Michael Clarke.

If anything I think Lehamnn for Arthur is the best thing to happen to the Aussies in the last 12 months.

Not sure how much difference he can make at this late stage though

England's team, I don't think Finn has bowled at all well this summer but has the knack of taking wickets. On pure bowling form you'd pick Onions but Trent Bridge has a reputation for swing and Bresnan can get the ball reversing add to that his batting I think he's the clear favourite to play the first test.

A 5-0 series whitewash to exact revenge for the winter 2006-7 tour would do me but I won't be surprised if the England top and middle order doesn't turn up for one of the early Tests and the Aussies nick it.

Still, England are far superior overall and will win it 3 or 4 matches to 1.

Got tickets for the Sunday at Chester-le-Street. Depending on conditions it could be the final day!

Pitches will be fairly flat. I really don't see 5-0. At least one draw, maybe two.

Phil Hughes got 86 against Worcester today, good news as he is a walking wicket. Hope he plays!

with all due respect, what a load of old shit

I think 2-1 but could be to either side

I think England will win 4-0 as there is bound to be a draw thrown in somewhere due to it pissing down.

Going to the Old Trafford on the Saturday and Chester le Street for day 4 and 5. Have to twist a bit about the prices at cls though as £80 per day for bog standard seats is a bit of a rip off.
Day 5 only £25 if it lasts that long but £80 seemed steep.

Four years ago I'm sure it was only £50 at the swalec and headingley. I can't imagine there being many tickets left for any test now mind but the price is still shocking ...

Got tickets for days 1-4 at Durham. Can't wait now for it to start next week. I'd play bresnan and his recent 100 should see him start.

3-0 3-1 to us

2 bets on series top scorer/wicket taker.......

Root/Anderson 39/1
Cook/broad 29/1

We got tickets for days 2, 3 and 4 and two of the days were 55 quid a pop. If you're paying £80 can only presume you've only just got them?

Also just got our tickets for Brisbane in November, paying £20 on a couple of days!!

Personally I think the 6/1 I saw for Trott to be top scorer as the best value. I can't see past Anderson for top wicket taker.

I hope you're right about Broad but I expect the majority of wickets to be taken by Jimmy and Swann. Youd think a productive series from Broad would almost ensure an England win though

Monty has been dropped by his county; he doesn't look in good shape.

Has he? Pretty unbelievable after what he did in India last year

Day 3 at Trentbridge for me and sunny one it will be too.
Also day 1 at Old trafford.

well its getting close now.

So this thread needs bumping back to the top.

Tennis? Poofs.

Cricket is shit, its such a dull sport they let you drink when watching it so you can blame the drink for falling asleep.

I like the new swear filter addition.

Bumble has just tweeted he has a sneaking feeling Finn will play.

If I came home to that news, I'd be shocked (copyright Poolie of Kent)

Ashton Agar starts. Surely they're not that worried about Pietersen that they're playing a left arm spinner who made his first class debut six months ago?

Aussies have brought in Ashton Agar a 19 year old spinner with only 10 games under his belt, very strange.

England win the toss and open the batting

Has the ashes finished yet?

Almost mate. Only six more weeks

Has the ashes took over Sky Sports 2 btw as couldnt find it last night?

YES..hth .. COME ON ENGLAND ::

first ball wide..

2nd wide too..

This could take over from the word association game as longest thread ever at this rate.

Given the conditions and the fact the Aussies have bowled well that's not the worst first hour we've ever had

Im still waiting to know what happened with ball 3?

Bollocks

Looking like yet another poor first innings to open a series from England- lucky to make 200

Do not feed the tr0l1.

Ffs bell !
We are making siddle look quality
At least we are scoring quickly, but clear skies forecast the next 2 days !

Well its not been a good start has it. Yes the conditions favour the bowlers so maybe we should have bowled, as we won the toss.

And as I type the 5th wicket goes.

We would have had them all out by now on this pitch in these conditions.

6 down now.

I think the word pathetic isnt unfair at this stage.

Dibble you talk some utter tosh at times.

We've batted badly and given them wickets from nothing balls, fuck all to do with the conditions.

There isn't an international captain out there who would have bowled today.

Maybe they just want to make it interesting?

Right. Place me in the same group as Michael Vaughen then.

I am sure you know better than him.

He reckons we should be all out now, if the Aussies had actually bowled well.

And by that token he also added that if we had bowled the aussies would have been all out by now.

By hey, a sunday league cricketer knows best.