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[Manormanic]

There has been a lot of discussion in the Ashes thread around the propensity in modern international cricket for the home team to win the vast majority of series - helped by familiarity with the conditions, lack of accilmatisation on the part of visiting sides and the like.  It got me wondering - how would a series play out where none of that was a factor?

So, the parameters are as follows.  England versus Australia.  Both sides have to select a squad of 15 to cover the entire series.  Everyone is fit and available at the start of the series, and there is an even ten day gap between the end of one game and the start of another.  There is no holders advantage.

The grounds have been selected to allow for a range of conditions, and reflect a little my personal favourite Test grounds, as well as those that provide the most interesting challenges for the players.  Assume for the purposes of this discussion that all are played in high season conditions.

1st Test: Newlands, Cape Town
2nd Test: The Hagley Park Oval, Christchurch
3rd Test: WACA, Perth
4th Test: Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, Delhi
5th Test: Trent Bridge, Nottingham
6th Test: Galle International Stadium, Galle

If the series is level after six, a deciding timeless test will be played at Lords (I thought about having it at the MCG, but even time has its limits...)

[edge]

And which ball would you use? Dukes/Kook, local or old-school toss for it before each game?

[Manormanic]

Has to be the Dukes.  Old school, proper cricket balls.

Unless we compromise and use a Tiflex?

[alexhilly1492]

And which ball would you use? Dukes/Kook, local or old-school toss for it before each game?

both and sg, which ever ball you use in those conditions should be used ie at the waca itd be a kook at trent bridge its be a dukes

the ball is part of the conditions

would you have any day nighters?

[Manormanic]

I'm going to say no day nighters.  This is a classic Test contest!

[northernboy1987]

Which Newlands pitch? The Ben Stokes destructo-road or the green seamer from this week?

[Manormanic]

Which Newlands pitch? The Ben Stokes destructo-road or the green seamer from this week?

Newlands is usually a good crickt wicket, with pace, bounce and a bit in it for the seamer.  We'll go with that!

[Biggie Smalls]

I would say oz would win at the waca and newlands .
You'd think oz would be bound to lose the two tests on the subcontinent,  but they wouldn't be batting against subcontinental spinners would they ? I think oz have 3 spinners who have done well in subcontinental conditions recently (lyon , okeefe, agar). England on the other hand , who would be there spinners ? So , I'd say oz would have to win at least one , if not both , of the subcontinental tests .
If oz only win one test on the subcontinent,  and eng win in n.z and trent bridge too , then oz would be more likely to win the decider at lords .
So oz win either 4-2 or its 3all with oz to win the decider.

[Johnny]

England win at Trent bridge and maybe Christchurch. Oz favourites for the other 4 I think

[Buzz]

Oz have the better bowlers and better batsmen.
They would deservedly win.

Great topic.

[Manormanic]

I think it would actually be a pretty classic series.  There is one certainty - Perth would go to the Aussies.  After that, you'd guess England would be heavy favourites in Nottingham...and then it starts to dry up.  Newlands would suit the Australian pace attack, but does move sideways so would also help the "classier" skills of Anderson et al, and Christchurch is the kind of test that on paper favours English skills but might in the end be decided by a titanic Smith knock.  As for the sub continent - it'd be a fascinating contest given how few good players of spin either side have.

Anyone care to try the selection problem.  Its surprisingly tough...

[alexhilly1492]

Anyone care to try the selection problem.  Its surprisingly tough...

England:

cook
stoneman
root
malan
bairstow
stokes
foakes
ali
overton
trj
anderson

broad
crane
curran
clarke
hameed

Australia:

warner
renshaw
smith
s marsh
A N OTHER
M Marsh
Paine
Cummins
Starc
Hazlewood
Lyon

Agar
bird
batsman (khawaja)
wade

[Manormanic]

You have sixteen in there...

[six and out]

interesting topic this.... for me....


Newlands - Australia - however as said in an earlier post this is on the basis that it is a quick track.... easily could be a draw
Christchurch - England
WACA - Australia
Dehli - Australia - I just see Lyon bowling us out more then our spinners doing it etc... a lot would depend on the toss i think though
Trent Bridge - England
Galle - I find this the most interesting game out of the 6 to be honest Galle is an amazing stadium and can do a bit for the seamers early doors (Starc got 10 for the last time Aus played there) and then obviously the spinners come into it later on. I am going to say - Draw

Meaning Australia win 3-2 with 1 draw

[alexhilly1492]

You have sixteen in there...

Oops take out Clarke/hameed