Ashes predictions . . . vote early, vote often . . .

Well . . . how are feeling after the recent results in Jaapan and the Windies?

Aus 3-1

Though I remain optimistic (against the odds, but given my reasoning in the 'where now for England' thread) that we may surprise Aus if we can get past Lords all square...

Indeed . . . it will be closer than most now assume . . . unless we can induce a few dropped catches from Prior to balance his powerful batting . .

3-zip, Convicts.

Exactly what I was going to say - Australia 3-1.

Aus to take the first two, England rally in the third, but a bit of rain and then they well and truly fark it up in the 5th and lose by an innings.

I refuse to pin my colours to the mast on this. Prior to the 05 Ashes I made a comment and was blamed by many Aussies for woofing and the Ashes loss. But I reckon taccy's onto something, it'll be closer than many are hinting at present.

England are capable of making a game of it.

Some big issues to sort to do so, however.

They probably won't, so depending on the weather, somewhere between 2-0 and 4-1 to Oz.

I think I'd go for 3-1 Australia, with two wins and a rain-affected or road-affected draw in the first three, sealing it in the fourth then an England win at the Oval when it doesn't really matter.

Australia only 8/11 for the series, I think that's remarkably long odds. Much better return than the banks and probably almost as secure an investment...

Zat wrote:I refuse to pin my colours to the mast on this. Prior to the 05 Ashes I made a comment and was blamed by many Aussies for woofing and the Ashes loss. But I reckon taccy's onto something, it'll be closer than many are hinting at present.

The man of the moment ...

No comment. Too early to call.

PeterCS wrote:

Zat wrote:I refuse to pin my colours to the mast on this. Prior to the 05 Ashes I made a comment and was blamed by many Aussies for woofing and the Ashes loss. But I reckon taccy's onto something, it'll be closer than many are hinting at present.

The man of the moment ...

He'll have a bilnder then.

I must learn to use my powers appropriately.
I must learn to use my powers appropriately.
I must learn to use my powers appropriately.
I must learn to use my powers appropriately.
I must learn to use my powers appropriately.
I must learn to use my powers appropriately.
I must learn to use my powers appropriately.
I must learn to use my powers appropriately.
I must learn to use my powers appropriately.
I must learn to use my powers appropriately...

4 zip because apparently we'll be doing our training indoors sans loose balls.

I'd say 5 zip but there's no Warnie.

I am more confident than I was a month ago.

2-2

Zat wrote:I refuse to pin my colours to the mast on this. Prior to the 05 Ashes I made a comment and was blamed by many Aussies for woofing and the Ashes loss. But I reckon taccy's onto something, it'll be closer than many are hinting at present.

If Gump is fit and the other 3 (Midge, Cot and Milf) can stay fit, I think our guns are bigger than England's bowling armory.

On that basis I'd vote for Aus to retain the Ashes by a 1 or more Test margin.

[anti-woof hex applied]

Skull, if Freddie is near top form and if SiJo makes a successful comeback as threatened (yeah, 2 massive "ifs"), it will go down to the wire.

In many ways, I hope both the above are fit and bowling, as it will make for another excellent series . . .

tac wrote:Skull, if Freddie is near top form and if SiJo makes a successful comeback as threatened (yeah, 2 massive "ifs"), it will go down to the wire.

In many ways, I hope both the above are fit and bowling, as it will make for another excellent series . . .

After seeing the slow-mo of Cot hitting the crease and the massive jarring that he suffers, I reckon a bigger man like Fred has no hope of ongoing and prolonged fitness.

But point taken. If everything falls into place for England (sorta like it did in 05) and we are off our game, then England are a chance.

But one things for sure. Ponting won't let us swagger onto the English shores like we did in 05, assuming a foregone conclusion.

2005 and summer 2008-09 were the wake-ups we had to have.

skully wrote:If Gump is fit and the other 3 (Midge, Cot and Milf) can stay fit, I think our guns are bigger than England's bowling armory.

On that basis I'd vote for Aus to retain the Ashes by a 1 or more Test margin.

[anti-woof hex applied]

If we lose, you can still cop the blame. There's no such thing as an anti-woof hex.

Zat wrote:

skully wrote:If Gump is fit and the other 3 (Midge, Cot and Milf) can stay fit, I think our guns are bigger than England's bowling armory.

On that basis I'd vote for Aus to retain the Ashes by a 1 or more Test margin.

[anti-woof hex applied]

If we lose, you can still cop the blame. There's no such thing as an anti-woof hex.

HTFU.

skully wrote:But one things for sure. Ponting won't let us swagger onto the English shores like we did in 05, assuming a foregone conclusion.

2005 and summer 2008-09 were the wake-ups we had to have.

Aye. At least we hope that's the case. I still don't think he's the sharpest tool in the shed.

Bradman wrote:4 zip because apparently we'll be doing our training indoors sans loose balls.

I'd say 5 zip but there's no Warnie.

Besides, qmy posted the above before I entered the fray. So it'll all be his fault.

It's more fun to blame you, Mr goody-two-shoes.

Zat wrote:

skully wrote:But one things for sure. Ponting won't let us swagger onto the English shores like we did in 05, assuming a foregone conclusion.

2005 and summer 2008-09 were the wake-ups we had to have.

Aye. At least we hope that's the case. I still don't think he's the sharpest tool in the shed.

The fact that he is not the sharpest tool in the shed goes unchallenged. But We certainly had an air of "you may as well hand us the Ashes now" after the 1st Test win.

The new blood + Nielsen + the reinvigorated Ponting with his new team should mean 100% commitment.

How well Hughes and Fleas deal with any movement and English plans could be a big factor. MtFTB's arrogance was the main reason we lost Ashes 05. Young Phews will not have an arrogant bone in his body, and we know that Fleas puts a very high price on his wicket these days.

Zat wrote:It's more fun to blame you, Mr goody-two-shoes.

If we lose, it's my shout next time we meet.