Should Australia be kicked out of the game?

[Beny]

England's prospects of being competitive in the Ashes in a few months have been talked up but, frankly, even the dodgiest of bookmakers could not expect anything other than a crushing series victory to Australia.

Fantastic Article...

In sporting terms, cricket is a virtually a religion in Australia. Christmas Day is as much about the obligatory game of backyard cricket as it is about turkey and presents. Michael Slater went so far as to say on television today that the Australian captaincy was the second most important job in the country after the Prime Minister's.

Well I wont go into what I think about Slater... I liked him before he opened his mouth! A bit much really when you consider that cricket takes a back seat to footy as soon as the season starts.

Adam Gilchrist would no doubt be in the highest demand, and deciding between Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath as the next pick would be a tough decision. Stupid as it may sound, it would be an interesting exercise and we'd at least finally get a competitive contest.

can't argue with that...

[Occasional Fan]

When I first read this, I confess that I thought the writer was tongue-in-cheek. I've been so surprised by the posts in this thread that I have re-read it, and now I'm just not so sure. Maybe he was serious! If so, then I'm with the sentiment above: this is bilge of the first order. I see that Cricinfo has provided a link for direct responses. Maybe we should take them up on the offer.

[Zainub]

I have OF, and I've send them the same thoughts I've posted here, this going way to far in my opinion.

[Glyndon]

No, Australia shouldnt be kicked out of anything. Right now we are at the top of our game, the best in the world, and dominating like the great West Indian teams of the late 70s and 80s. However, whilst we are outstanding, I have been saying for the last 18 months, that we are going to be given a run for our money in the upcoming Ashes series. People might not agree with me, but lets wait and see, and I think England are going to be more than just competative.

[Occasional Fan]

Welcome to the board, Glyndon. You'll find a few people here who will agree with you that the Aussies are going to get a run for their money this summer. Beny's not one of them, and you're lucky he's down in Melbourne, otherwise he'd be popping along to put you right on a couple of things! Good to have you with us.

[Zainub]

Good to have you with us would be an understatement, Ernie will be feeling over the moon

[Seamer]

Originally Posted by Glyndon

and I think England are going to be more than just competative.

MORE than just competitive implies that England may even be better and win. Competitive perhaps, sure, more than competitive, big call. How many teams in the last three years have had their hopes dashed on the rocks of Ponting and co. Too many people have placed expectations and thus pressure on England for this series, especially the English media, and you know what they do when England cricketers disappoints them. England will be routed and in full retreat by the third test methinks.
P.S Glyndon - good to have you on board. We need another Queenslander in this forum to help keep the southerners in check

[Glyndon]

Thanks for the awesome welcome folks, and it is already a pleasure to be on here. A little about myself, live on the Sunshine Coast, am retail manager for a hotel, main passions include music, films, wines and sports.

Okay, the reason why I think England have a chance, is simply they have a very solid batting line up, and do need vaughan and Thorpe to perform. Their bowling line up is as good as it has been in years, but all their bowlers are averaging in excess of 30, which will hurt them, and the Aussies dont rate Ashley Giles at all, but they have a good balanced side now and I think the influence of Rod Marsh is coming through, and the selectors might be finally getting it right.

My big fear is that England may win the first test as they have done previously and then weather could play a huge part in the outcome. I still believe this is our most serious threat in many seasons.

[Ernest]

Welcome to the board Glyndon.

Nice to see an Aussie with a balanced point of view, yes I agree it will be competative, but it will be just an aniclimax,if it is another Australia dominent series.

[Glyndon]

Thanks Ernest, good to be here too, and looking forward to many decent and spirited discussions over the coming weeks, months and most of all, the Ashes series. I really dont believe that the series in England this winter/summer will be an anti climax at all. I have no doubt that we will start red hot favourites and deserve to as well. However having said that, there could be some brittleness with the Aussies. Matt Hayden is struggling right now, although returning to form against the Kiwis in the one-dayers, but an under strength NZ, and everyone is making runs. Langer is in form as in Punter and Martyn. Katich is almost a new kid on the block and trying to establish himself long term and Clarke who is a divine talent, but alot of players have struggled on their first test tour of England. Gilchrist is well, in a world of his own. Warne, probably the first time in England where he might be on the decline, ages does weary them, and the bowlers, Dizzy, McGrath and Kasper or Lee, is where we might win it...but having said that, I just think England will really lift....I hope not too much, but I am open to stand corrected in a few months, but I still believe it will be closer than many of us think.