[KevD]

Teams have just been announced for the 1st Test starting in less than an hour

Austalia:

ML Hayden,
JL Langer,
RT Ponting (Cpt),
DR Martyn,
MJ Clarke,
AC Gilchrist (Wkt),
MEK Hussey,
SK Warne,
B Lee,
GD McGrath,
SR Clark

England:

AJ Strauss,
AN Cook,
IR Bell,
KP Pietersen,
PD Collingwood,
A Flintoff (Cpt),
GO Jones (Wkt),
AF Giles,
MJ Hoggard,
SJ Harmisson,
JM Anderson

So Australia have chosen Stuart Clark over Mitchell Johnson, which is not really a suprise. England however, have sprung a bit of a suprise by picking Giles over Monty ( Why Duncan/Freddie). A little negative by England I feel but I am a fan of Giles and heres hoping he can perform as he did last summer

A long night ahead, but I am quite positive and feel England can steal a march in the series as I am sure the Aussies are once again far too over confident.

COME ON ENGLAND

[CFC1]

Cheers KevD..... can't believe Gilo has just walked back into the team ahead of Monty. What has the lad got to do? The selectors will no doubt justify picking Gilo by saying his batting is far superior to Monty's, which is true, but I can't help but to feel bad for the lad!

[KevD]

Originally Posted by CFC1

Cheers KevD..... can't believe Gilo has just walked back into the team ahead of Monty. What has the lad got to do? The selectors will no doubt justify picking Gilo by saying his batting is far superior to Monty's, which is true, but I can't help but to feel bad for the lad!

Fletchers faves There was talk of the Aussies getting to Monty's confidence, well I think his own Coach and Captain have just managed that! I think he could have handled the Aussies, it rough but fair. Sadly, dropping him after his performances is rough and unfair . After saying all that, heres hoping The King Of Spain can take afive for and knock a quick fifty

[CFC1]

Originally Posted by KevD

...After saying all that, heres hoping The King Of Spain can take afive for and knock a quick fifty

I'll drink to that...although it'll have to be a mug of horlicks at this late hour!

[KevD]

Australia win the toss and decide to Bat, Bumble & Mikey Holding seem to think this is good for England...IF they can bowl well!

[CFC1]

I think they are right. At least this way they can feel their way into the series, even if the Aussies do go and post a big score. If England had batted first, my gut feeling is they would have been skittled out cheaply and rolled over in 3 days!

[CFC1]

Right...I'm off to bed to watch the cricket! What's the chances of a wicket falling before I nod off?

[domtheone]

Just logged onto the Beeb to see the score.

I guess it could still rain but it looks like it's pretty much 1-0

[CFC1]

Originally Posted by CFC1

Right...I'm off to bed to watch the cricket! What's the chances of a wicket falling before I nod off?

As expected... none.....

As I've said before, we are in for a whitewash!

[rio1981]

Originally Posted by CFC1

As expected... none.....

As I've said before, we are in for a whitewash!

That's the spirit!

[CFC1]

Originally Posted by rio1981

That's the spirit!

Mate, Looking at the Aussie side, I see loads of runs, with 4 or 5 capable of making centuries. How many of our side could you say that about? Strauss maybe, Flintoff or Petersen (if they have luck on their side).

Additionally, their bowlers are always gonna take wickets in Australia... ours don't look like they are capable of it... Harmy is way off his best, Hoggy really needs conditions to be in his favour to be a real menace and Anderson hasn't fulfilled his early potential for me. That leaves Freddy....

Rio, I want more than anything to see a competitive series like last summer, but it ain't gonna happen IMO.

[Geege]

It's only early days, so there is plenty time left to have a competitive Ashes series. I personally don't want to see a white wash by Australia anyway as that would be boring, and prefer a close competition, as long as Australia win of course.

Originally Posted by CFC1

Mate, Looking at the Aussie side, I see loads of runs, with 4 or 5 capable of making centuries. How many of our side could you say that about? Strauss maybe, Flintoff or Petersen (if they have luck on their side).

Additionally, their bowlers are always gonna take wickets in Australia... ours don't look like they are capable of it... Harmy is way off his best, Hoggy really needs conditions to be in his favour to be a real menace and Anderson hasn't fulfilled his early potential for me. That leaves Freddy....

Rio, I want more than anything to see a competitive series like last summer, but it ain't gonna happen IMO.