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

Spoilsport.

1-2 against the Engerlund.

We'll muck them up on a seaming track somewhere. Otherwise Johnno will rule. He's like Malinga with that wierd action. Our batters will take two tests to work him out and by the time the Ashes will be gone again.

Unless we can hit them with a fit SiBo and SiJo, in which case we might win.

Aussies to win it by 1 or 2.

The SA series shows to me that the Aussie production line of capable bats (or qunts) may still be intact. The Aussie bowling seems to be coming together (Johnson/ Siddle, Clark should be back by then, Hilfenhaus), even though they still do not have a spinner. And Lee ...

England, on the other hand, have KP and Strauss to bat. Bowling they have Flintoff (perhaps). Harmison's a putz. Monty and Swann, meh. Dello's Anderson cycle has me convinced so...

In order to win the series, IMO, England will need KP, Strauss and Flintoff to play out of their skins (chances of that happening at the same time?) and/ or someone to have a great tournament. Not likely.

But given that it's the Ashes, and the fact that this Aus team isn't still like the ones in the past, I do not think Eng are going to be thrashed. I see close Test or so, but the Australians prevailing by 1 or 2.

Or, in short, the Aussies are qunts.

**cough** YANK **cough**

I'm the decider, and I decide what is best. It's true.

Ello ello, the voting has taken a massive turnabout. Some qunt thinks Engulund will win the series and some other qunt thinks they will draw it.

Well played, yooze.

I voted 2-1 to Oz. I think there could be some close matches but they have the edge on us.

I guess I'm with tac. I hope it's another classic series. Forgive me for hoping Aus just pips England. 2-1 with a win at The Oval would do just nicely.

If Jones is fit and bowling 85mph+ early season he gets picked. End of. FFS. Get the most out of him before he inevitably breaks down again.

Yeah, skull, the 5-0 whitewash was nice as a payback for the MBEs, but a tight series with the poms performing at their best would be a cracker

Indeed. Ashes 05 generated far more passion and discussion than any previous or hence one-sided series.

Let's hope both sides are at their peak and it's an epic.

4-0 and 3-0 Australia seem to me to be the value bets, weather depending. I can't see 5 results otherwise 5-0 wouldn't be out of the question if England carry on as they have been doing. I can't see England winning a Test either, but all things have to change and maybe a bit of Pietersen or Flintoff magic can change that.

skully wrote:
Let's hope both sides are at their peak and it's an epic.

Too many 'ifs' for England to be at their best....

IF Vorn comes back as opener AND
IF Chef drops back to #3 AND
IF Fred stays fit AND
IF Fred recovers batting form AND
IF SiJo gets fit AND
IF Monty's IQ doubles (to 100)

Won't happen.

I wonder if Trescothick will get lulled into a return.

You think the selectors would do that, Smerky?

Seems a bit of a retrograde step for the side. But I guess if he's still one of the best openers in the country then being purely a hometown Test player is an option.

skully wrote:You think the selectors would do that, Smerky?

Seems a bit of a retrograde step for the side. But I guess if he's still one of the best openers in the country then being purely a hometown Test player is an option.

Strauss
Tres
Cook

Hey Presto - the No3 problem is solved at a stroke. get me Geoff Miller's number someone!

How was Tresco's last season FC form, Bas?

skully wrote:How was Tresco's last season FC form, Bas?

1258 runs @ 46.59

For comparison Langer's stats were 1083 runs @ 43.32 from 2 fewer innings.

Basil wrote:

skully wrote:You think the selectors would do that, Smerky?

Seems a bit of a retrograde step for the side. But I guess if he's still one of the best openers in the country then being purely a hometown Test player is an option.

Strauss
Tres
Cook

Hey Presto - the No3 problem is solved at a stroke. get me Geoff Miller's number someone!

Except a number three is supposed to "set the tone" of the innings and dominate - which is the polar opposite of everything Cook is about. Of those three bats, he'd be the third best number three.

Cheers, Bas. Seems serviceable.

Basil wrote:

skully wrote:How was Tresco's last season FC form, Bas?

1258 runs @ 46.59

For comparison Langer's stats were 1083 runs @ 43.32 from 2 fewer innings.

How was his form away from the flattest featherbed in the country?

A fair question from the all powerful Warden.

Dello wrote:

Basil wrote:

skully wrote:You think the selectors would do that, Smerky?

Seems a bit of a retrograde step for the side. But I guess if he's still one of the best openers in the country then being purely a hometown Test player is an option.

Strauss
Tres
Cook

Hey Presto - the No3 problem is solved at a stroke. get me Geoff Miller's number someone!

Except a number three is supposed to "set the tone" of the innings and dominate - which is the polar opposite of everything Cook is about. Of those three bats, he'd be the third best number three.

I'd take Cook ahead of Bell and Shah, and the dross MPV served up in the last 18 months or so.

Dello wrote:

Basil wrote:

skully wrote:How was Tresco's last season FC form, Bas?

1258 runs @ 46.59

For comparison Langer's stats were 1083 runs @ 43.32 from 2 fewer innings.

How was his form away from the flattest featherbed in the country?

610 runs @ 46.9, to answer my own question.

So still not too foul then.