*Official* Road to 2013 Ashes

[Pothas]

Well I am sorry to say...you actually could be right

Nothing average about Anderson, Prior or Pietersen.

Clearly Trott, Bell, Bresnan and possibly Broad were all performing a fair bit above their normal level (Or just playing India) for a while but how they go is going to be really important, although doubt Bresnan will play much.

[Tangles]

I don't get to see much of the away series but the bowling worries me tbh. I can't see Siddle and Hilf bowling England out. If Pattinson is fit who else will step up. Cummins may not be fit and Harris seems to be done. Starc is promising but it looks like Johnson has edged back into the reckoning. The English would love to face him again. Surely if he played in Perth based on his WACA record Birt should play in Hobart?

With Hughes added to the team the top 4 are all openers so maybe they are thinking ahead to the Ashes. One of the top 3 and Watson will have to step up IMO.

[Burgey]

I reckon Hilfy could gun it in England fwiw.

He had a decent series there in 2009 didn't he?

[Justo]

He had a decent series there in 2009 didn't he?

Averaged around 20 or something if memory serves.

[Burgey]

Well if he does that again it'll do.

[Spikey]

28 or something. no five wicket hauls. nothing greater than 5 for the match iirc. decent is about right.

[benchmark00]

Such a bitter taste.

[Spikey]

really, everyone (bar MJ and Hussey) was 'decent' in 09. how the **** did we lose that

[Top_Cat]

Ashes '09 was one of the better examples of how it's almost as important when you score runs or takes wickets as it is how many you get/take.

[Black_Warrior]

This is going to be one amazing series with no clear favourite..

Australian bowling attack is average without Pattinson..so whether he manages to remain fit all through is the key..
Would love it if Cummins is fit and back.

Pattinson
Cummins
Starc

Mouth watering prospect but I know the conservating and risk averse selections and team management of Australia will pick Hilf and Siddle over Cummins and Starc.


As for England...

Broad and Bresnan have kind of fallen away...Broad for me only peaked in that one 2011 series against India..I know he is rated very very highly by everyone..would be interesting to see if he bounces back on home conditions..

Andersen and Finn are safe bets..

Doubt England will play two spinners.. So the third seamer's spot will be the key..

As for batting, I am not sure if Bell will come back in India in the 4th test..assuming he doesnt..will England persist with him in the Ashes given his record against Australia or make the bold move of dropping him?

[Jono]

Ashes '09 was one of the better examples of how it's almost as important when you score runs or takes wickets as it is how many you get/take.

So true.

[Burgey]

28 or something. no five wicket hauls. nothing greater than 5 for the match iirc. decent is about right.

I never said he was Ray Lindwall, ****.

[Jono]

Any other bloke would have said McGrath and been done with it. You are such an old prick.

[Spikey]

I never said he was Ray Lindwall, ****.

who the **** is lindwall, ****

[Howe_zat]

Ashes '09 was one of the better examples of how it's almost as important when you score runs or takes wickets as it is how many you get/take.

Was the largest statistical heist in Test history, I believe. England batsmen averaged something like 6.5 less rpw than the Aussies, which is the largest deficit ever for a winning side.