looking forward to the Ashes, we seem to be a really good 'unit' now, decent start to the tour, and Australia just don't have the destroyers that they once did.

I think we have every chance, a few more 'ballsy' players who will give as good as they get.

can't wait.

Well it was a great start to Aussie bashing watching them lose to the Kiwis at RL & then losing to England at RU.
Let's hope that the losing habit for them internationally continues till the end of February.

hope so..

apparently the aussie media is being pretty cagey, billing england (and wales) as arrogant etc.

good to see cook getting some runs under his belt

Completely agree foxy and i think we have them rattled already no Warne ,Mcgrath ,Hayden ,Gilchrist etc etc and Ponting on the slide it's ours for the taking.

The irony of it...........

Has Glenn McGrath made his prediction yet?

Yes, 5-0 to the Aussies.

I think it's going to be another close one. Swann is the key man for England.

The Aussies must be worried since they've named a 17 man squad, bigger than England's: news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/default.stm I'd love to see England win 3-1, but I'd take 1-0 & of course if the series is drawn we retain the Ashes.

The Aussies must be worried since they've named a 17 man squad, bigger than England's: news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/default.stm I'd love to see England win 3-1, but I'd take 1-0 & of course if the series is drawn we retain the Ashes.

I'd be surprised if Australia don't win it. Swann apart I'm not sure we've got the bowling to be able to trouble their batters. Here's hoping I'm wrong though.

BTW Flipper - I followed the link to your cricket club. The website looks awesome and you seem a decent bunch. I notice you have started netting for next season already - would it be ok if I came along and could you provide details please ?

I last played league cricket when at Uni in Bristol, but haven't got a club up here yet.

yes mate - more than welcome, Headingley indoor nets 8pm -> 9pm for now, ask for me (foxy) or look out for a rotund southern character who responds to the misnomer of coach.

Doesn't matter if you haven't played for a bit, we recruited everything from Grade cricketers in Aus down to people who last played at school last season, all are welcome, and given we play upto 4 times a week in the summer most people are getting a game most weeks...

Boom big knock from Gayle nz.sports.yahoo.com/cricket/news ... ranglehold?

Boom big knock from Gayle nz.sports.yahoo.com/cricket/news ... ranglehold?

The key for England is going to be how well they use the new ball.

There's not much in those Kookaburra balls once the initial shine comes off, they certainly don't tend to swing much which negates the strong suit of Anderson in particular.

Wasting it by banging it in half way down the pitch for the first ten overs in a fit of pique - yes Stuart, I'm talking to you - will lead to long days in the field.

We're ok, its going to rain throughout the Ashes series so we'll retain them after 5 draws. www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricke ... sters.html Mind you does anybody recall the barbecue summer from a couple of years ago?

We're ok, its going to rain throughout the Ashes series so we'll retain them after 5 draws. www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricke ... sters.html Mind you does anybody recall the barbecue summer from a couple of years ago?

some great stuff in the rlTMS archiverl