The Ashes Tour, 2009.

[Andeeh]

So with the announcement of the initial 13 man squad of England for the first test in cardiff of:

Strauss
Cook
Bopara
Pietersen
Collingwood
Prior
Flintoff
Broad
Swann
Anderson

and in the hunt for the final place is
Bell
Onions
Panesar.

For me i would go with Onions as even the Swalec stadium just spins i reckon the extra seemer would be the better option.

Who do you reckon is going to win the ashes and the scoreline?

For me im going to say 3 - 1 to England

Thread temporarily stuck by :Mobile (Forum Moderator): With permission of the Assistant Forum Manager.

Thread closed by invincible (Forum Moderator) for a 'cool down' period to prevent further arguing. It will be reopened before play resumes tomorrow.

Edited by Catzsy [Forum Super Moderator]: Because of recent arguments the thread is closed until Wednesday the 12th August at 10.00am for a cooling off period.


Thread reopened by iAdam (Forum Moderator); With instruction by Catzsy.



Edited by Catzsy [Forum Super Moderator]: Thread closed due to constant arguments.

[Geraint]

Why Harmison hasn't been included is a mystery. I know the pitch might be spin-friendly but he tore through their team for the Lions.

[leah]

I hope England can do it, but the Australians are always a strong side.

[Hecktix]

I'm really looking forward to the ashes, I think it will be a hard competition, difficult to call the scoreline but I think England will win.

[Andeeh]

great news with lee out. i was worried about him and his reverse swing. would you play 2 spinners in first test or go for extra seemer?

[Geraint]

great news with lee out. i was worried about him and his reverse swing. would you play 2 spinners in first test or go for extra seemer?

Cardiff is a spin-friendly pitch which also baffles me why Glamorgan play one spinner, but anyway. Gotta go for the two spinners. Surprised to see that Adil Rashid isn't one of the spinners and, as I said, Steve Harmison should be there. They'll bring in Hilfenhaus to replace Lee.

[Andeeh]

yea i think it would be a risky but right bet to go with two spinners. i think that rashid is too young as he is only 20 years of age and i think he should develop his action with mushyy and then he might be featured in several years. I agree with harmisson 6 wickets in warm up game. he was destructive but i do feel he may play at lords where the pitch is more bouncy perfect to knock the heads off the aussies

[Janczyk]

Why Harmison hasn't been included is a mystery. I know the pitch might be spin-friendly but he tore through their team for the Lions.

I would never, ever include him in an England squad ever again. Why?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7Y6T44tzIc

3rd slip.

[Geraint]

I would never, ever include him in an England squad ever again. Why?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7Y6T44tzIc

3rd slip.

Flintoff said he feared when he faced Harmison when Lancashire played Durham. Harmison did well against Australia for the England Lions and that would make some of the batsmen rather scared. I was watching SSN earlier and they were talking to an Aussie news guy and he said he and most of Australia were happy to see Harmison not included as they feared him.

[LuketheDuke]

I hope England win but Australia still have a good team.

Players who I expect to step up to the challenge are Bopara and KP especially on the batting front.

I hope Onions is also selected as his performance against the Windies suggested he's got a solid bowling game. Dont know if hes a spin bowler though?