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[Manormanic]

There was a good article in the Times a few weeks ago about how Test cricket was now a constant review of where we were in relation to the next Ashes series.  I wonder, now that England have ended India's unbeaten home record and the Aussies have finally won a test (sorry guys, couldn't resist!) how do you all think that the series next summer is shaping up?

 

[Jenko]

With our bowling attack being led by matty wade you should be shaking in your boots

[Ayrtek Cricket]

Anyone know how to go about getting some tickets sorted for Oz next year? Parents are going so said I'd look into it.

Apparently Ozzy residents can get them a month before UK residents so having someone help would be useful over there. Anyone know if this is true?

[smokem]

With our bowling attack being led by matty wade you should be shaking in your boots

Don't forget a 43 y.o. who goes by the name of S. K. Warne... 

[PedalsMcgrew]

I still think England are a fair bit ahead of Australia in English conditions. With Anderson seemingly improving all the time I just think him and Finn are going to be too much for the Aussie batsmen in England.

In Australia I think it will be a lot closer but I still fancy England to nick it. Australia's lack of a decent spinner and inability to keep any of their seam bowlers fit for longer than a test match are the keys here though. If they manage to address those points it will be tight.

[Manormanic]

Good comments Pedals.  I think the seam attacks are pretty evenly matched - Australia are struggling to keep theirs fit whilst England are desperately looking for an in form third seamer - but England have better top order batting to call upon and two top class spinners to the convicts none.  On which point, why not "do an India" and prepare raging bunsens?

[tim2000s]

Good comments Pedals.  I think the seam attacks are pretty evenly matched - Australia are struggling to keep theirs fit whilst England are desperately looking for an in form third seamer - but England have better top order batting to call upon and two top class spinners to the convicts none.  On which point, why not "do an India" and prepare raging bunsens?

I think the English and Welsh climate in the Summer (e.g. lots of rain and relatively chilly) would make "raging bunsens" very difficult to achieve.... Even for a first class cricket ground! Heatlamps and a greenhouse over the square anyone?

[PedalsMcgrew]

I'm not sure we could actually prepare Bunsens in this country based on the previous few summers! Would be a good idea though, the last thing the Aussies would expect!

[Manormanic]

Worked pretty well, albeit by accident, at the Oval in 2009!

[Buzz]

Worked pretty well, albeit by accident, at the Oval in 2009!

Good old Bill Gordon. The 2009 oval pitch was no accident, I assure you.

[Number4]

The poms doctoring pitches? Noooooooo

[alba caerulea]

The Aussies need to keep Pattinson and Cummins fit to have any chance

If they go in with siddle and Hilf leading their attack again they will be doing an awful lot of fielding, particularly with no decent spinner to keep it tight

And the batting relies so much on Clarke and Hussey, England have a much better team at this stage

[Manormanic]

And the batting relies so much on Clarke and Hussey, England have a much better team at this stage

I wouldn't go that far - both sides have their issues to resolve.  I just think that the questions over Australia's top four will be the biggest factor in the series: will Watson learn to go on from nice 30s? will Cowan cope consistently against class bowling on anything other than a shirt front? Can Warner handle the moving ball?  Will Hughes wimp out at a challenge and get Quiney to cover for him again or be Steven Finn's bunny?

[Number4]

I wouldn't go that far - both sides have their issues to resolve.  I just think that the questions over Australia's top four will be the biggest factor in the series: will Watson learn to go on from nice 30s? will Cowan cope consistently against class bowling on anything other than a shirt front? Can Warner handle the moving ball?  Will Hughes wimp out at a challenge and get Quiney to cover for him again or be Steven Finn's bunny?

I think they will persist with Hughes, I don't think Quiney will get another shot. We need to settle on a top order and let them play themselves into form

[tim2000s]

I think the performance in India in the New Year will be an interesting bellweather...