The Ashes 2010/11 in Australia

Australia's pace bowling depth is phenomenal. We have at least 5 or 6 left armers who can bowler above 140kph constantly (Nannes, Bollinger, Johnson, Starc, Walter, Putland) and about 5 or 6 really fantastic right armers (Hazelwood, George, Siddle, Hilfenhaus, Harris, etc). That's not including guys like Bracken, Lee, Tait and Stuart Clark. A lot of depth in the fast bowling ranks, not matched by any other nation at the moment. It's a real shame that all the spinners being produced seem to be spin bowling all rounders (Smith, O'Brien, O'Keefe, Heal, etc).  

Name me a side since 1990 that was better than this one. Perhaps there were a couple of better batsmen, Gatting and Smith come to mind... but that's about it. The bowling attack now is much more consistent with more variation. Gough, Malcolm, Caddi£k was a good attack, add Fraser into the mix, but Fraser was constantly injured and Malcolm was inconsistent. In terms of spinners, Tufnell or Croft can't compare to Swann.

The best England side would have Trescothick and Simon Jones back, and Flintoff out of retirement. However, this is not the case. So in reality, this is probably one of the best sides in 20 years, saying it is the best is a bit far fetched, but it's up there.


Edited by milkman - 28 September 2010 at 9:47am

Strauss, Bell and KP are still there. Giles and Jones are absolute rubbish, particularly the latter. Hoggard and Harmison were good, but I think they have been replaced adequately.

The English side of 2005 was for me the best English side of my time.  This current one bowling, with the exception of Swann, isn't close to the one of 2005.  Collingwood and Trott have been good inclusion to the batting though, along with Prior.

i know the results of that series.
There were plenty of sessions which Pakistan won. Pakistan have the habbit to loose a test match in just 1 session even if they win more sessions than the opposition.
England is a much better side and most important a much better fielding side. Ponting wont get to his 200+ if his catch catch will be held on 0. Do you know how many catches pakistan dropped in that series. We all know how it came to 3-0. Australia isn't that dominant but still one of the best sides in the world.
Both sides are consistant and this will be a very close series, i guess.

sw you are right but a good fielding side can back their bowlers well. 

Comparisons
Batting: Both equal good (1-1)
Fielding: Both equal good (2-2)
Bowling: Advantage Australia (3-2)

Result: 3-2 for Australia

it is really a very strong batting line up but Englands Batting is also very strong with an inform Strauss, Trott, Morgan, Prior. And if KP, Collinwood and Cook find the form they can trouble the aussie bowlers

And add to that there 2 best batsmen last time in 06/07 were Colly and KP and both can't find runs at the moment.

Well for mine it's important that seasoned, proven batsmen do well. Colly and KP are proven performers downunder, and their form is even more pivotal than anyone elses.

To me both the teams look equally balanced but Aussies still have an edge on home ground. England will definitely look towards one man and that is Swann and with KP and Wood their middle order also looks very fragile. For the results I will make my prediction during Aus tour to India or after that.

Originally posted by sam_ahmed My views based on some of the comments made 1) Apart from Swann, none of the other england bowlers are threatening, Anderson is good only in England and in places where we see a lot of swing, I do not think he will do well in Australia.

 None of them are threatening apart from Swann??   Sam , get over what's happened in England and face reality - England will give Australia a real go in the series. They might not win the series , but Australia will have to work very hard to get those Ashes back!

    Swann might well be England's top wicket taker , but it won't be by a huge margin.  I wonder if any of the Aussie batsmen think the rest , after Swann , are completely useless?  I think not , afterall they did lose last time out.



Edited by Sledger - 29 September 2010 at 2:13pm

Swann is the key, off spinners tend to do well against the Aussies.

Broad is the most important fast bowler. He gets swing with the new ball, and has enough pace and bounce, at the right length, to threaten with the older ball. If he can bowl like he did in the last 2 Ashes tests in 2009 then he will be a major threat. If he bowls like he did in the first 3 tests then he will be dispatched. He's a better bowler, so I'm expecting big things.
I do underrate Anderson's value somewhat in Australia, but he is a maturing cricketer and has played downunder in two test series already. He shouldn't perform badly by all means, while young Finn will enjoy the conditions.

Sledger is right, England will give Australia a top challenge, but still may not win. A close series, who ever wins, is always most enjoyable. Although Australia, at home, are slight favourites.

do you have any reason for that?

Maybe they have only Swann as a star in their bowling department but their bowling unit did well in the last year.
They bowled well in all formats. They won consistantly T20s, ODIs and Test matches. Without a good bowling attack they cant be that consistent.


Edited by kahmad - 29 September 2010 at 4:53pm

Originally posted by kahmad do you have any reason for that? Maybe they have only Swann as a star in their bowling department but their bowling unit did well in the last year. They bowled well in all formats. They won consistantly T20s, ODIs and Test matches. Without a good bowling attack they cant be that consistent.

Lets wait till the Ashes than we will see how good he is.