Does Anyone Give the Poms A Chance

[Dipper]

As the present series against the West Indies seems over before it's started I wondered what your thoughts were on next year's Ashes series & whether you think England has a chance or whether your blokes are gonna come over here & kick our arses again?I still make you big favourites but we're improving & with conditions favouring fast swing bowling(our one real strength) over here 4 the last few seasons I think we have a chance.

[Arch]

no disrespect intended Dipper, but I think England does have a chance to win maybe (HUGE maybe) a single test, but no way will they win over an entire series.
I must admit I dont get cable so I dont see much "non-australian" cricket, so I havent seen much of England of late, but has there been some standout player, or massive middle order improvement that I havent heard about, which would justify your thoughts ???

cheers

A.

From what I have seen of Trescothick he looks very good and has probably been England's form batsman since he came into the side. But a lot will still depend on Atherton and Stewart unless the likes of Hussain, Vaughan and Hick can find some form.

There has been talk of Stewart and Atherton retiring soon which would destroy England's hopes completely.

Hoggard's been bowling very well and will probably be the front line spinner and with Gough at the other end could be dangerous.

The problem with England is that the batting and bowling falls away pretty quickly and Australia will take full advantage. But the Poms do seem to be showing more mental toughness and definately won't be a pushover.

Australia will win the series probably 2-1 with a couple of washouts.

[Drakey]

The trouble is Dipper we outgun you in every department.

Your bowling has improved, I'll give you that, but it's still no match for McGrath, Lee, Gillespy (if fit), Fleming (terribly under rated) & co.

So even if you do bowl us out cheaply I would back our bowlers to go thru your batting like a dose of salts. If Hick can get a game your batting is weak.

Add to that the most ruthless & thorough captain since Bradman & Jardine.

You won't win a test. Assuming it's a 6 test series we will win 5 nil with 1 wash out.

Sorry

[ptw]

mostly off the topic....

I was in London for work the other day, and what I was going to was postponed for the day.

So what do you do ?

Visit the queen ?
Harrods ?
Art Galleries ?

No. Got the tube to The Oval and saw the last day of the poms v WI for 10 pounds....a sell out. The poms got up and it was a great atmosphere. Top ground too I thought.


anyway


Poms are no chance. I think that English cricket is in deep trouble at most levels. I agree that they rely on too few who are getting on.

What happened to Alan Mulally (sp) ? Seeing him hit McGrath for 4 with a straight drive was awesome. Especially sitting with the Balmy Army for the day.

ptw

[GoEagles]

I do rate the poms. Remember the last tour to England, and we were thumped in the one day games and the first test before starting to find out feet? Also remember the Aussies have to tour to India in March, after the one day internationals then England, so with the climate changes and the burnout factor - It could play a part.

But I think Australia will retain the Ashes 3-2 or 3-1 but I think the test matches will be closer than what people expect.

[Dipper]

I agree that we'll probably get beaten & on the face of it maybe slaughtered but there is a new mental toughness in the side-whilst the batting is still dodgy (I agree with u Drakey about Hick-he is gutless)it has improved & whilst your pacemen might be better than ours on a flat pitch over here 4 the last 2 summers the ball has being moving around like a boomerang & Gough ,Caddick,White & Cork are superb in those conditions.It's a 5 test series so realistically I would expect 2-1 or 3-1 to the Aussies but u never can tell.

[goatmaster]

I actually give the Poms a chance. Go Eagles is right if you look at last time we were terrible early & needed a comeback. We should win but the poms are improving dramatically .
I agree with everyone else if they give Hick a game they are playing 1 short.

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Goatmaster
the prime minister of the principality of Mooball