The Ashes

[Zaz]

So yeah, it's beginning this Thursday apparently. With Trescothick out, England might just struggle even more. Australia to win 5-0

Discuss.

[Liam]

It's a shame that the majority of England couldn't give a shit about cricket.

[Summers]

I LOVE that advertising capmaign. "Pros vs Cons".

[ChrisSteeleAteMyHamster]

We're starting to hit a little form (finally) so I can see a draw and England retaining.

[Sir Alan LCSugar]

Can't fucking wait for it. Now, i'm worried about our side without Trescothic and the leadership of Vaughan, but we have guys that can more than hold their own against 'Dads Army'. However, without key men, we may struggle, but who knows.

[Farmer Reil]

So yeah, it's beginning this Thursday apparently. With Trescothick out, England might just struggle even more.

[Zaz]

Ahem. Prime Minister's XI 347 defeated England 181 in a one day match

That's like a mix between our 2nd and 3rd string sides.

[ChrisSteeleAteMyHamster]

Bwahahaha I can't remember the last time we played well in a one day match.

We're not here for the one day series....Just the Ashes.

Our bowling attack is what's not quite firing right now...and Strauss...

[Liam]

Ahem. Prime Minister's XI 347 defeated England 181 in a one day match

That's like a mix between our 2nd and 3rd string sides.

I know you lost it in the end anyway, but didn't your lot lose to Bangladesh not long before going up against us?

Yeah, I think you did.

But you played a lot better than you did at the start of the tour, basically.

[SwantonEdge]

LOL, yeah, but that might have something to do with the fact that most of the Australian team was hangover/still drunk at the time.

[METALMAN]

The last ashes was really entertaining. If this can be anywhere near as exciting and dramatic, I don't mind who wins.

[IAceI]

I love the Ashes...when they're in Australia. Means I don't have it forced down my throat all the time

Edited November 22, 2006 by IAceI

[Dan]

Australia to win 5-0

Glenn MCGrath, 2005.

And we all know what happend then.

[Mongrel]

Starts in an hours time.

Clark apparently gets the gig ahead of Johnson which is a joke. I hate Clark.

So I'm guessing the teams will be;

Langer

Hayden

*Ponting

Martyn

Hussey

Clarke

+Gilchrist

Warne

Lee

Clark

McGrath

Strauss

Cook

Bell

Pietersen

Collingwood

*Flintoff

+Jones

Giles

Hoggard

Harmison

Anderson

Will be a joke if Giles gets the nod ahead of Monty, but I get the feeling the England selectors will go the safer option. You guys better hope Sajid doesn't get a game, looked terrible against the PM's XI.

[Dan]

Anderson will play.

Anyway, very excited

[ChrisSteeleAteMyHamster]

Yeah it's pretty much assured Giles will get the place....Kinda a shame...

Also, Collingwood is likely to bat 4th apparantly to 'protect' Pietersen....Amusing.

[Mongrel]

I'd be more worried about protecting Bell.

Anyways, bad decision this. But that'll be cancelled out by Stuart Clark being picked.

10.00am England have named their XI and as expected, Ashley Giles has been preferred to Monty Panesar. "It's safety first from Fletcher, but with some reason," Andrew Miller tells us. "Remember 2002-03, when Craig White was England's No. 7. The idea of a tail that long is anathema to the coach. Giles acts as ballast, and should allow England's top six to play with greater freedom."

England 1 Andrew Strauss, 2 Alastair Cook, 3 Ian Bell, 4 Paul Collingwood, 5 Kevin Pietersen, 6 Andrew Flintoff (capt), 7 Geraint Jones (wk), 8 Ashley Giles, 9 Matthew Hoggard, 10 Steve Harmison, 11 James Anderson.

Edited November 22, 2006 by The Flamin Mongrel

[Dan]

Fuck off Fletcher you racist cunt.

You never did like Monty. Tosser.

[Sir Alan LCSugar]

I think this move with Giles is to cover the loss of Trescothick in the field. We were lacking a fat guy and now Gilo has taken the role. Seriously though, Fletcher probably feels he needs Giles batting ability and his experience in the Ashes situation. At least for the first game. Panesar can wait for a more spinner friendly wicket where he will get more joy and his confidence won't get dented.

[ChrisSteeleAteMyHamster]

Monty can actually get top order batsmen out.

Giles can get 30 runs and catch a ball.

So really depends on the wicket...