Print

[procricket]

Prediction time

I'm putting me head on the block and saying 1-1 our batting v there bowling is key

England man of the series.... Jonathan Trott
Australia man of the series...James Pattinson

[Number4]

2-1 England
Cooke man of the series for England
Clarke or Bird for Aussies

[Beaup123]

3-1 England

England: Cook

Australia: Bird

[Johng]

5-0 England and the return series in Australia 3-1 England

[farnham_quins_2]

3 0 England in England, 2 1 England in Aus.

England - Cook in England, Anderson in Aus.
Australia - not sure. Probably Clarke

[Torque]

3-1 England.

Eng: Anderson

Aus: Starc

[Twelfth Man]

In typical McGrath fashion. 5-0 England.

More hope that anything but I seriously doubt that there will be five wins in the series!

3-1 England, with it being more close than people expect though.

[cheese]

At home England will win 2-1! Player of the series for England: Trott
                                                                             Australia: Siddle

Away England will win 3-0! Player of the series for England: Cook
                                                                         Australia: Clarke or Starc

[Buzz]

I think the England team will do better in Aus, I think their pitches will suit our team more than the UK team

[keysersolze]

Shane watson man of the series for our boys as its about time he started sledging/annoying the poms again!!!!!!

[Tail Ender]

2-1 or 3-1 to England, depending on the English "summer"; this'll prevent a 5-0, for those predicting one.

[uknsaunders]

Bye Bye Compton 

-------------------------------

Root preferred to Compton for Ashes warm-up
ESPNcricinfo staff
June 24, 2013


England have given the clearest indication yet that Joe Root, rather than Nick Compton, will open the batting with Alastair Cook during the Ashes. Root will move up the order for the warm-up match against Essex beginning on Sunday, with Compton omitted from the squad, and Geoff Miller, the national selector, described Root as "currently the best opening partner" for Cook.

Compton struggled during the two Tests against New Zealand in May, scoring 39 runs in four innings, and although he has managed one century and one half-century for Somerset since then, it appears that Root will usurp him at opener when the first Investec Ashes Test begins on July 10.

"We believe Joe Root is currently the best opening partner for Alastair Cook and he will open the batting against Essex," Miller said. "Joe has performed well for Yorkshire at the top of the order earlier this season and during his international career so far has proven to be very adaptable in all three formats and relished the challenge of international cricket."

The ECB have announced a 14-man squad to play Essex, including Graeme Swann, who suffered a calf problem during the Champions Trophy, and Kevin Pietersen for what will be only his second first-class appearance since England's tour of New Zealand in March. Boyd Rankin has also been called up, after being added to both of England's limited-overs squads in the last month.

"This match is a vital part of our preparations for the Investec Ashes after a period of limited overs cricket for a large number of the squad," Miller said. "We have a very exciting two months of Test cricket coming up and it is important that we start well at Chelmsford next week. Kevin Pietersen has had no complications following his recent return to cricket after a knee injury which is pleasing and Graeme Swann is recovering well from a calf injury.

More to follow...

England squad: Alastair Cook (capt), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Ian Bell, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Steven Finn, Graham Onions, Kevin Pietersen, Matt Prior, Boyd Rankin, Joe Root, Graeme Swann, Jonathan Trott

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/current/story/644999.html

[tim2000s]

 

[The_Bird]

You could argue that Compton will get the chance to face the Aussie attack at Taunton this week which no other England player will have, so it gives the selectors a chance to look at Root as an opener and then make their decision on the position after both warm up games. However it doesn't look good for Compton if they are stating that Root is the best opening partner for Cook.

[Bats_Entertainment]

Compton gets to bat against the Aussies.