Galloping I don't think spin bowling is that bad i.e pre Warne era it was awful. We currently have matchwinners like Swann, Ajmal and Ashwin but now with DRS the left arm spinners get so much joy like Rehman, Herath and Monty.

The Warne and Murali era with a little bit of Saqlain and Kumble was no doubt the best.

england 3-1

top wicket taker eng.finn aus.starck(sp)

top willow eng.KP aus.haddin

man of the series eng.KP aus.haddin

Spin aint gonna bother England. They beat india in india, that also on pitches that turn square. Australia's best bet is their pacers. Fawad had barely played first class matches. How he will be selected for ashes is beyond any cricketing logic.

I think England will win this ashes. Though it will be very competitive. The australian are like the hurt tigers(zakhmi sher). They will want to prove alot of people wrong after what has happened in the last 4 months.

Viru

I feel the main reason as to why Fawad is being selected is because of the situation he has found himself in with Australia. He is just a basic spinner who is being selected with this story. For the second Ashes in a row Australia have selected spinners who have played only a few FC matches. Lack of talent rather than brain I think.

Adot,

I haven't had the chance to see much of Fawad, could you fill us in on what he's like? I'm gathering from what you say he's not particularly good?

I don't think anyone has had the chance to see much of Fawad. I for one haven't. But in terms of his ability I am guessing. The majority of fans wouldn't have seen him play either. I just feel had he not found himself in a situation like this, seeking citizenship, wanting to play cricket etc.. then Australia would not have picked him. I seriously don't think Australia have picked him on ability alone, the story comes with it for sure, that was the point I was trying to make.

I hope he plays, I hope he is a good player with variety but it seriously shows the lack of spinning talent Australia have that they are selecting someone such as him. Unless there is something pretty damn good he has that we haven't seen.

Cheers for that. We all knew it would be nigh on impossible to replace Warney when he retired, in fact none of the current batch of Aussie spinners are in the same league as McGill. Still though it's been bleak, Michael Beer, springs to mind. I can remember some bad Aussie teams during the Packer era but this isn't far off.

Hope they pull it together to make the series interesting but I'm not holding my breath.

I don't think Australia can perform well themselves to perform consistently if that makes sense. I think England need to slip-up in order for Australia to perform consistently and with it make the series interesting.

Australia opening combo in a 170 opening stand v Worcestershire.

Top Run-Scorers for both teams: Trott & Hughes
Top Wicket-Takers for both teams: Jimmy & Siddle
Series result: 3-0 England
Should we have roofs in cricket? No

It feels like Aus are making steady progress since the departure of Arthur. Got their opening pair steady, albeit against county teams. Except Siddle the rest seems to be ready for the Cook and his mates. Lehmann seems to be in total control of the lads. No more punches from Warner and one from Watto already (again against a toothless attack it seems). And the Rogers guy says he knows every thing there is to know about the Duke ball.

On the other hand the Queen's party seems to have damaged a bit by Essex bowler's bouncer. And their top order ain't looking like a top order. Neither Root was entirely convincing. Seems like the reason Compton got the axe is too many folks in English team with SA connection (according to AU press). More twists and turns.

I know I know come Ashes day any thing can change. I am just saying the gulf has reduced if at all with in the past two weeks.

Voiceofcricket.. you only listen to your own voive. as no one else is.. Nonsense you just typed.. thoroughly bisased of course..

Dont write off the Aussies, this is the Ashes and it will be a close series imo.

2-2 or 2-1(Eng)
TRS - Trott/Clarke
TWT - Jimmy/Siddle

I recall James Pattinson bowling 150k+ in India and literally ripping up their top order himself. If he is capable of doing that in England, then England will be in for a surprise or two. Back-up that up with Siddle who is the experienced of the bunch and will put in a good shift for his team. But if there is swing, then Starc will utilise it the best, especially in swing.

But for me I expect the tracks to be dry and produce something for the spinners, which brings Swann to take a lot of wickets and the Aussie's have a few left handers in the team. Surely they have learnt from their mistakes in India! England did from the Pak tour.

This chap England talking about biased view. Now that is the joke of the day

Pot calling kettle?

nah sprikler.. U don't see the whole picture and like to comment in between without knowing the whole nine yards dude. Its all good anywaz..

If u bother to look the history of his comments then may be u can realize his views.

Also I don't think myself perfect and admit my mistakes in life but I don't like to rant the same shitttt again and again..

Relax

Good times bro

Comment deleted by Site Moderator

Top Run-Scorers for both teams: Cook and Clarke
Top Wicket-Takers for both teams: Anderson & the Pakistani fella whatever his name is....
Series result: 3-1 england
Should we have roofs in cricket? Yes, If Amir funds it from his pocket money

I reckon Compton will play. Another 50 v Australia. Why would England waste their time in drafting him to play against Australia for Worcestershire if they weren't seriously considering him.

A lot of you guys are seriously overrating Starc. Pattinson is going to be a big shock for some of you. I'm guessing quite a few England fans won't have heard of him, he has the potential to be as good as Steyn and he's probably already Australia's best bowler.

Runs Trott and Clarke
Wickets Anderson and Pattinson
2-1 AUS COME ON!!

I see the aussies are back to cheating again.. Clarke claiming a catch at Worcester that clearly bounced.