The Ashes 2006-7 - England v Australia

India self-destructed as well mate. Well led by Freddie though and I was particularly pleased for Jimmy Anderson.

He's had a torrid 18 months or so , but proved yet again that he's a wicket taking bowler.

Come November Australia will know they'll have to be at their very best or they'll come up short again.

Bowlers win test matches and England know they can take 20 Aussie wickets. What'll please them even more is the knowledge that they've blooded some youngsters who responded brilliantly.

Who's to say that Cook , Shah , Anderson and Panesar won't have cemented a spot in the side after Sri Lanka nd Pakistan this summer?

Maybe Vaughan won't return and we've seen the start of the golden age of Flintoff!!

Originally posted by ANIL KUMBLE shah isint young hes just expierenced in first-class matches

27 might seem old to you lad , it's prepubescent to me!

We've never lost an Ashes series since the 80's - England put paid to that. We've never lost a series at home for many years - this record is in serious danger now! England undoubtedly now have the best pace attack in world cricket - and what variety they have too! Harmison - steep bounce; Hoggard - seam & swing; Jones and Anderson - reverse swing; Flintoff - bustling aggression at 140+!!

If England beat us in Aussie, kudos to them mate, they deserve to be no.1 ! But then again, our blokes don't know when they're dead and buried! Should be an intriguing series - Can't wait for Part 2!!

Originally posted by Slider If England beat us in Aussie, kudos to them mate, they deserve to be no.1 ! But then again, our blokes don't know when they're dead and buried! Should be an intriguing series - Can't wait for Part 2!!

This is spot on. The Aussies are going to be more up for this series than any in living memory I should imagine and England are going to look to meet them head on so the opening days play is going to be the most intense thing

i think aussies have the edge at the moment, the way i view the last ashes is that england won it mentally, the aussies cracked under the pressure from crowds and finally the english media were behind them!! but i feel that aussies definately had more skill, i.e. without the pressure they should have won (in my mind) whereas in Aus they will have the pressure put on england, and they will still probably be better in most departments, i don't know if this england side will be able to perform under that kind of pressure

Cricket Australia have announced that calling English fans "Pommy B@stards" during the Ashes later this year is acceptable.

Perpetrators will not be evicted from the ground as it's not deemed an insult to compare with racial vilification of the sort used in the Aus/SA series earlier this year.

For balance and fairness , English supporters using the term "Convict" will not be ejected either.

Peter Young , spokesman for CA said ,"In Australia , b@stard is used as a form of endearment"

Makes me recall the famous incident from the Bodyline Series of 1932-33 when Douglas Jardine complained to Bill Woodfull that an Australian player had called him a b@stard.

Woodfull scanned the dressing room and asked his team ,"Which one of you b@stards called this b@stard , a b@stard!!"


A term of endearment fellas huh.....I'll try it this weekend with one of the local prop forwards - should be a good laugh!!

Edited by Sledger

Certain swear words (or so deemed to be in other countries) in Aussie have never really been a problem. Our prime minister does it from time to time! Moderation and choosing the right moment are what counts if you wish to get away with it.

Don't forget the Irish are not too fond of you blokes either, mate!!

reverse swing isn't going to be as much as a factor in Aust. as it was n England. It's a fact that it Aussie pitchs/conditions don't generate it near as much as english pitches/conditions (We aren't allowed mints on the field in aust. ) .

As for the winner, given that we are on home soil, and look to have a set bowling & batting line-up (except maybe for the no.4 and 6. position) i think Aust. we reclaim the ashes...

and i think i read something about a possible rotational policy between the quicks and the 12th man (seems likely at this stage that MJ Clarke will have the duties)

bring on the Ashes

Originally posted by Clapo reverse swing isn't going to be as much as a factor in Aust. as it was n England. It's a fact that it Aussie pitchs/conditions don't generate it near as much as english pitches/conditions (We aren't allowed mints on the field in aust. ) . As for the winner, given that we are on home soil, and look to have a set bowling & batting line-up (except maybe for the no.4 and 6. position) i think Aust. we reclaim the ashes... and i think i read something about a possible rotational policy between the quicks and the 12th man (seems likely at this stage that MJ Clarke will have the duties) bring on the Ashes

He said, "Australian Pitches"...it does not particularly matter what the pitch does..It is mainly what the ball is doing, dryness in air and how rough the ball can get.

I'm so expert on swing so I won't comment

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The Australian team is also getting much better with experience warnester

Brett Lee is taking a more dominent role, Hussey is getting confortable in the side, Clark looks like he is the No 1 newcomer on the internaional scene, Ponting is scoring runs unlike ever before, adn Hayden will come into the next Ashes in good form

he would have to score 3 tons and 7 fifties for that maybe

Aussies are going to be tough to beat at home, it's been a number of years since the Aussies have been on home turf. Should be an intriguing Series, my money is still on the Aussies.

The losing side that went to England was no weak side. So Australia will have to lift their gain. I'm guessing that mos the batsman and bowlers will be out for vengence. We may see Brett Lee coming after Peterson and Hayden after Flintoff.

This summer will be a lot harder for England

I think with all the pressure on the Aussies to win the tour of England was too much for them, but now England have the pressure of retaining the Ashes. Its an awkward situation to be retaining a series on international soil. Its better to get the hard stuff done first