The Ashes Tour 2009

That's exactly what I proposed... and then they'd choose Sidebottom and Anderson.

Originally posted by zuhair_abbasi Why drop Onions for Sidebottom?.

Variety I would imagine

Yup. Sidebottom would be the only leftie there, and England haven't had many of them in the past.

Sidebottom's on record saying he wants some 4 day cricket before next month. He is undercooked , but did get it into the mid 80's which is as quick as he's been in an England shirt.  Clobs is right , if he is back to full fitness he'll get his place back and Onions will be sent back to Durham.
       If both Flintoff and Sidebottom do get back I think the series will be very , very close. Freddie could do with a few runs though - he's a batsman who has to feel in good touch to perform , he can't just stick around and gradually come back into form.

I saw an article on the curator for the 1st test. The word is that spin will play a big part and that England might well go in with both Swann and Panesar. It'd make a pleasant change to actually beat Australia first up !

Sledger, I`m always of the opinion that home groundsmen should produce surfaces that suits their team.  A lot of people may give the sub continent curators a bit of stick but at least they go in favour of their team!  I know producing mine fields is wrong like what India squared their home series against SA on but generally, I think people get the picture!

I hope this fires Harmison up and he absolutely rips into the Aussies in the Lions match.

Harmison`s really an enigma.  I`m sure he had a good start last season and didn`t really run through any sides.  I don`t know but he somehow seems to lose whatever confidence he has easily.  I hope he`s back but maybe some brutalness from the selectors by not having a look at him at all for a year might do the trick!

I agree with you.  I dont think Hauritz or Hifenhaus will make the cut.   

Edited by scuudz - 28 June 2009 at 7:40am

If English batsman can break Jhonson's confidance, then its all the way England this Ashes.

It might not be all they way England Bladey...but it is not going to be a repeat of 2007 either mate.Some of the above mentioned points are really good and Aussies will badly miss a spinner. However, they will be better off without Hauritz. England at the moment seem a lot versatile in their bowling department. Bring on The Ashes!!

yes Kiran, it will be the first Test held there, so very exciting for them I am sure.

No one is really sure what to expect from the wicket, but it's anticipated to be a turner.

Plenty of support for the home side , but I've been through too many disappointments to convince myself that England will win. Flintoff's non-bus trip adds to my uncertainty and the batting has yet to click regularly. The Cardiff wicket hasn't yielded too many for the spinners since they were fined for an underprepared pitch and whilst it might turn , it'll be slow. That shouldn't worry any of the Aussie top order and I expect a tough , tough series.   To me , if the summer stays hot and sunny then Anderson and Sidebottom could well struggle. If there's no swing then sheer pace could well be key and the Aussies have by far the upper hand.
          Negative post lads , but I'm still smarting from an expensive trip to Pretoria and a heartbreaking finish !!
         Adding to the negativity , what odds on Freddie playing all 5 tests ??

Originally posted by Sledger !          Adding to the negativity , what odds on Freddie playing all 5 tests ??

None!!!

Originally posted by scuudz Originally posted by kirankri Swann IMO is the best offspinner in the world at the moment and should play all the matches.   Murali says hi.

Drat,Scuudz beat me to it.
Harbhajan,Murali......Best offspinner in the world huh!!