The Ashes

[Barrel of Fun]

All sorts of mind games going on.

The BBC have been busy collecting the thoughts and feelings of players.

BBC Sport - Cricket - Wednesday's Ashes gossip column - Australia v England

It must be our best chance for a long time to make some sort of mark out there and hopefully hold onto the little old famous urn.

 

[Lady Whistledown]

Can't wait, bring it on.

 

[Marc]

Heart says England, Head says a draw or a very close 2-1 either way.
I almost got a job there this winter, have to wait until next year now though.

 

[8ace]

I think there could be a few drawn games.
1-1 or 2-1 England.

 

[Barrel of Fun]

I'm going for a draw.

I have been following Swann, Jimmy, Broad and Finn on twitter. They seem to be in good spirits.

The Ashes in Australia mess up my bodyclock, but it is going to be immense.

 

[Danny-Boy]

I hear Warney has been bollocking Ricky Ponting on a Twitter site.

Something to do with bad field placing in the recent matches against India. Ponting's VC has been defending him, not sure who that is, he claimed he was "the best skipper Australia have ever had".

Well THAT's bollocks for a start. Chappelli would never have lost the last Ashes in england.

 

[Badger]

I think there could be a few drawn games.
1-1 or 2-1 England.

I'm not so sure, there usually aren't many drawn games out there because runs are generally scored pretty quickly. Also both sides have had batting issues recently so I think there could be a few low scoring matches.

I reckon it will be 3-2 hopefully going down to the last test, don't ask me to name the winning team though.

 

[8ace]

I'm not so sure, there usually aren't many drawn games out there because runs are generally scored pretty quickly. Also both sides have had batting issues recently so I think there could be a few low scoring matches.

I reckon it will be 3-2 hopefully going down to the last test, don't ask me to name the winning team though.

You're right about there not being many draws (only 9 out of the last 60 if I've counted correctly).

Cricket Records | in Australia | Records | Test matches | Series results | Cricinfo.com

I was reckoning on both sides struggling to bowl each other out, England's seam bowlers won't have the assistance of the swinging ball but should have more control than before so they are really reliant on Swann. I think England's batting was only really dodgy against some top quality swing bowling from Pakistan. FIGJAM still needs to find some form though.

 

[Billy the Fish]

Does anyone know of any pubs that might be showing the first test?

Tried the sports cafe in haymarket but they can't guanentee they'll stay open past 3am.

 

[Barrel of Fun]

I'm on the lookout for pubs too.

Rather amusing...!

BBC News - Australia Big Ben Ashes cricket stunt

 

[Grendel]

Having heard players and pundits say "we have a fantastic chance to win the Ashes in Australia" every series for the last 20 years, and then watching us get humiliated, I'm not going to get my hopes up. At least that way I'll be even more delighted if we do win!

 

[Hiney]

Can't wait, bring it on.

This

If all our boys are fit then we have a great chance. Perfect timing for Pietersen to rediscover some form.

COME ON!!

 

[Lady Whistledown]

This is the only time when I think I could be arsed to pay for SkySports. I'm going to have to figure something out, or it's TMS for me again.

Last time we went out there it was still more in hope than expectation, despite the previous Ashes victory.

While Australia are undoubtedly strong at home, they have been dismal lately, England are a far better side than they were last time, and there would appear to be genuine cricketing reasons, not just sentimental, hopeful ones, for thinking they could actually be the better side.

 

[8ace]

This is the only time when I think I could be arsed to pay for SkySports. I'm going to have to figure something out, or it's TMS for me again.

Last time we went out there it was still more in hope than expectation, despite the previous Ashes victory.

While Australia are undoubtedly strong at home, they have been dismal lately, England are a far better side than they were last time, and there would appear to be genuine cricketing reasons, not just sentimental, hopeful ones, for thinking they could actually be the better side.

Sky Player is £6/month on the iPhone if you can suffer the small screen.

 

[Scotty Mac]

2-2

 

[Grendel]

When was the last time we could genuinely claim to have stronger spin bowlers than the Aussies?

 

[sten_super]

When was the last time we could genuinely claim to have stronger spin bowlers than the Aussies?

Probably just before the first Test of the 1993 Ashes...

 

[Lady Whistledown]

Sky Player is £6/month on the iPhone if you can suffer the small screen.

I forgot about that. I had it on the three month free trial before.

Do you have it, and if so does it run OK? I found it used to pause and reload constantly, so not sure if it's going to be worth paying the extra. I have a 3GS.

 

[Lady Whistledown]

Probably just before the first Test of the 1993 Ashes...

It's just Gatting's FACE that absolutely makes this picture, isn't it?

 

[Lady Whistledown]

Fat, annoying, mouthy...genius

[yt]jrdV1jXIMDQ&[/yt]