Edmund Posted 28 October 2010 Posted 28 October 2010 It's that time again, The Ashes. Arguably the most anticipated series too date after the last attempt to beat the Aussies in their back garden. It's also the first time in many years England head into the series looking like they could win on merit (no rain ). I for one can't wait. 2010-11 Ashes Test series dates: First Test: 25-29 November, 2010 (Brisbane) Second Test: 3-7 December, 2010 (Adelaide) Third Test: 16-20 December, 2010 (Perth) Fourth Test: 26-30 December, 2010 (Melbourne) Fifth Test: 3-7 January, 2011 (Sydney) Strauss - We are ready England captain in confident mood ahead of trip Down Under Andrew Strauss insists England have left 'no stone unturned' in their bid to retain the Ashes this winter. On the eve of the squad's departure to Australia, the captain reported his players to be fighting fit after a solid preparation. Strauss downplayed reports that paceman Chris Tremlett had suffered an injury setback, while confidence is increasing that James Anderson will be fit after his controversial rib injury at the recent boot camp. "Chris Tremlett is 100 percent fit," he said. "I think he had a tiny niggle but it hasn't affected his preparation for the tour at all. "Jimmy Anderson is coming along well and we expect our players to be 100 percent for the first Test." Kevin Pietersen has been reported as saying this squad is better prepared both physically and mentally than four years ago, and Strauss was happy to go along with that assessment. "We've had a lot of success over the last 18 months so confidence levels are very high," he added. "Our preparation has been very good - Andy Flower and the management have prepared us very well. "There's a feeling of relaxed excitement about what lies ahead, and I think we've got an excellent chance of winning out there. We are a nice, tight unit and we pretty much know what to expect. "All I know is we've prepared as well as we possibly can do in the time available to us, we've been thinking about this Ashes series for a long time and it's a huge challenge going to Australia and winning. "I think we've pretty much left no stone unturned to hit the ground running out there. Ultimately preparation only takes you so far and you've got to front up when it matters and win the crucial sessions. "But I've got every confidence our players are able to do that." The war of words has already begun with Australia captain Ricky Ponting singling certain players he feels will come under pressure during the series, but Strauss knows each of his team will have to prove their worth during the five matches. "Ultimately, we will all be targeted," he said. "There will be a lot of probing for weaknesses and guys will have to stand up individually and collectively. "We don't like getting caught up in a war of words with the Australian team. I think you can spend hours thinking up witty retorts to comments, or you can spend hours trying to concentrate getting your game in order and that's what we'll be looking to do." Strauss will be looking to become the first captain since Mike Gatting in 1986-87 to return with the famous urn, and he admitted that will add further spice to the mix. "I think we all feel a slight burden of responsibility, that's kind of mixed in with a sense of pride of representing our country in what is a massive series," he continued. "From my own point of view, I'm relaxed but excited about our prospects. Those of us who were on that tour last time realise what a tough place it is to tour, but we also realise what an amazing thing it would be to go out there and win. "I'm really excited about that prospect."
Matt Posted 28 October 2010 Posted 28 October 2010 Hoping i'll get to a day at the MCG, not sure I will but i'll see. Last time I went Australia was the whitewash, and despite getting hammered was when I got into cricket really, well The Ashes anyway, still claimed 'I wasn't into cricket' therefore didn't care about the whitewash
FoxyPV Posted 28 October 2010 Posted 28 October 2010 I can't wait. It looks to be an exciting series with Australia being quite poor of late and England appear to be on their way up. Still think Australia will walk it though as England have only won a couple of times down under since it began.
Corky Posted 28 October 2010 Posted 28 October 2010 Really looking forward to this series. I think we'll have learnt from last time and go in with the right attitude and a settled squad.
purpleronnie Posted 28 October 2010 Posted 28 October 2010 You'll be shocked to hear I think the aussies will win.
Pst Posted 28 October 2010 Posted 28 October 2010 I reckon it'll be very close this time around. The Aussies look nowhere near as good as last time out.
Fosse Boy Posted 28 October 2010 Posted 28 October 2010 Need to go in there with just about the opposite attitude we had last time we were down there, then we might standing a chance. Think we'll be OK as the cult of celebrity that seemed to get to our squad between the '05 and 06/07 series thankfully hasn't re-emerged as a result of the '09 triumph. Oh, and if our pace attack could stop digging each other in the ribs, that'd be just great.
ACF Posted 28 October 2010 Posted 28 October 2010 Got my ticket for Boxing Day, looking at day 3 aswell. Cannot wait!
Fox You Forest Posted 29 October 2010 Posted 29 October 2010 I think if Swann bowls well we have a cracking chance, fancy a draw though myself which is as good as a win for us.
purpleronnie Posted 29 October 2010 Posted 29 October 2010 England will now win, I've just placed a bet on the Aussies.
Edmund Posted 29 October 2010 Author Posted 29 October 2010 England will now win, I've just placed a bet on the Aussies. That's the series wrapped up for England then.
purpleronnie Posted 29 October 2010 Posted 29 October 2010 Yep and you have me to thank. You're welcome.
Fox You Forest Posted 20 November 2010 Posted 20 November 2010 Well that's the preparation over, it's gone very well, too well if you ask me. The Aussies look gash we look quality I'm worried we're setting ourselves up for a massive fall because even though they're well below their best they still take some beating in Aus. Gutted that I'll only be able to catch the odd hour before work and watch the highlights. Anyone else see the stupid dance they've all been doing? The Sprinkler... G'won Mushy. :laugh:
SOCCERROO FOX Posted 20 November 2010 Posted 20 November 2010 All bar four players in the aussies squad of 17 played first class cricket in preration after day one the 8 batsmen including Haddin made a total of 67. Things have improved a little bit including a good Hundred by Michael Hussey and Mitchel Johnson scored a hundred that i witnessed licve and a good 5 for including 4 for 5 in a blistering 5 over spell. Hoping to get to 2 or 3 days of the MCG test but not sure, Our squad is struggling but on home turf we should win the series 3-`1
StanSP Posted 20 November 2010 Posted 20 November 2010 England to win first 2 tests. Australia to win 3rd test. Fourth test draw. Fifth test to turn out to be one of the greatest matches ever, with England coming out on top. Wishful thinking much?
Corky Posted 20 November 2010 Posted 20 November 2010 The preparation this time has been top drawer, very professional and focused. Start well and put the Aussies on the back foot, I'm far more confident then I've been before about our chances.
Edmund Posted 20 November 2010 Author Posted 20 November 2010 The Sprinkler... G'won Mushy. :laugh: The preparation this time has been top drawer, very professional and focused. Start well and put the Aussies on the back foot, I'm far more confident then I've been before about our chances. Got to agree although I think the Aussie crowd will be a big help for them especially seeing as the Barmy Army are low on numbers. Cash-stripped Barmy Army to be a reduced battalion for current Ashes seriesEngland's 'Barmy Army' may not make it to Australia in full force to witness the upcoming Ashes series, as it appears to be cash stripped. Officials are predicting that about 15,000 to 20,000 English fans would arrive to support their team for the tour, well down from the 40,000 who visited during the 2006-07 Ashes. "'People are having to make tough decisions in tough times," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Barmy Army co-founder Paul Burnham, as saying. "Going away on an Ashes tour is difficult to justify for some people.' Especially when the price in pounds has jumped 40 per cent in four years," he added. Virgin Money, a UK-based financial services company, calculates that a full summer package of cricket in Australia will cost English fans about 30,000 dollars. "Australia is no longer the bargain-basement cricket destination it was," said Nick Larkworthy of Virgin Money. However, Arj Rupesinghe, General Manager of the Pig 'N' Whistle, the official Brisbane headquarters for the Barmy Army, is bracing himself for a busy week. "I've heard the talk about unsold tickets, but I think the vibe is bigger now than it was four years ago. This series matters. Australia really wants to win the Ashes back," Rupesinghe said. The first of the five Ashes Tests will be held at The Gabba in Brisbane from November 25 to 29. It will be followed by Tests in Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney. The tour also has two Twenty20 clashes and a seven-match ODI series. (ANI)
ozleicester Posted 20 November 2010 Posted 20 November 2010 Worst Ozzie team for 25 years, Poms well organised and planned, the aussie crowd wont have as much impact. England to win
Brainy Posted 21 November 2010 Posted 21 November 2010 Australia have got their priorities wrong if they're only playing that Doherty fella to get rid of Pietersen
Edmund Posted 21 November 2010 Author Posted 21 November 2010 Pietersen will come good, he always does in the big tourno's. Sensible decision by Australia in my opinion. You don't just ignore a player of his calibre even if he's had a dip in form. Form is temporary, class is permanent
Brainy Posted 21 November 2010 Posted 21 November 2010 But you don't just bring in a player who has barely played at international level let alone a test match, just to try and get rid of one player. I personally have no idea how good he is but the word is they've brought him in just to target Pietersen when surely a KP-less England would see Australia playing either Hauritz or Smith.
Edmund Posted 21 November 2010 Author Posted 21 November 2010 He's in good form though not like Hauritz so less of a risk I guess. I know that's contradicting what I said about KP as he's not at his best but the difference is KP is one of those players that relishes the big games and loves being in the limelight. I've got a sneaky feeling he's going to have a cracking series and these decisions by The Aussie's reflect that.
Joe. Posted 21 November 2010 Posted 21 November 2010 Pulling an all-nighter on Wednesday night for this I think, lecture at 9 which is nice.
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