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[Number4]

It will not be a embarrassment at all any team that takes the field has a right to compete.
England are not light years ahead and as I think the New Zealand series was a good one for England.

They and the public will not take Australia likely I remember a certain Allan Border dragged  a mediocre side to England and he began the walloping.

ENGLAND V AUSTRALIA anything can happen it the big one and what makes the sport great I have already booked my days off for the year funny thing there around the ashes I simply can not wait.

I know that and you know that but others on here haven't quite caught on yet

[jamielsn15]

A lot of folk tend to forget that we're talking about elite sportsmen - if you have an off day as an individual or as a team (as England did in days 1-4 of the last test) you will get found out.

Unfortunately, England aren't as good as some people -and possibly they - think.  The Ashes will be close, though a lot will depend on Clarke's fitness.  Going into an Ashes having lost Ponting, Hussey and possibly Clarke would be huge.  England currently have the experience that the Aussies had for years in Hayden, Langer, Ponting, Gilchrist, Warne, McGrath, etc - but look what happened in 2005...

[Steveo1000]

I think it is brilliant that two sides who are not at their best are going to compete the ashes. The patriot in me hopes England smash the Aussies and embarrass them. The cricket fan in me hopes it is close and goes to the final test.
With no other major sporting events this summer, the ashes has the opportunity to stand out, I hope England win, but I hope Cricket as whole gets the elevation it needs in this country.

[ProCricketer1982]

I think it is brilliant that two sides who are not at their best are going to compete the ashes. The patriot in me hopes England smash the Aussies and embarrass them. The cricket fan in me hopes it is close and goes to the final test.
With no other major sporting events this summer, the ashes has the opportunity to stand out, I hope England win, but I hope Cricket as whole gets the elevation it needs in this country.

Here here. Cricket is in desperate need of a 'shot in the arm' in the UK. Grass roots is struggling after the last few years so needs a '2005 ashes' type boost. (Not that this will be anywhere near as good as 2005 but fingers crossed)