Oh yea of little faith!

[John]

The big factor was Mcgrath. You missed him England had a huge stroke of luck. They would almost be out of the series.
I hope the batsmen were watching the tailenders. This England attack is far from unplayable. Maybe they have got a bit more watchful?

[Ernest]

You have got a fight on your hands Seamer, I think Aussie has the best chance at the oval, because the pitch is not as pacy as it was, also the bounce will be true, favouring the more accurate bowlers McGrath and Flintoff + Warne.
I had always given the Lords Test to OZ, not a good place for England.

[Leafy Seadragon]

Well Ern, from all accounts the Old Trafford wicket is a turner, so on the basis of evidence so far, that's 2-1 Oz. With the Oval 3-1. Fair prediction - thanks mate.

[Leafy Seadragon]

Sorry I wasn't around to add support on this one Seamer. It seems we're the only ones that have confidence in the Oz team regardless (hopefully that doesn't make us the Oz equivalent of Ern - just kidding Ern). Even on the last day I thought an Oz victory was possible (admittedly wouldn't have bet the house on it, but...). The Aussies are very, very good and even out of form (Gillespie, Kaspa and Haydo to start) still held their own against England. Virtually everything went against Oz in this test, including McGrath's injury, our own call on winning the toss, featherbed and gunbarrel straight on day one, conditions conducive to swing and movement on days two and three and a mix of umpiring calls (in fairness probably about even). About the only thing that went well was the increasing turn (although again favouring the team bowling last - why Punter, why?), yet still we nearly pulled it off. Nothing's changed my 3-1 Oz prediction (although another 3 runs would have)

[Seamer]

Aussie Yank was another true believer as well. In the Ashes Prediction thred, i too predicted a 3-1 win to the Aussies. Like you Leafy, i still stand by it.

[John]

Originally Posted by Seamer

Aussie Yank was another true believer as well. In the Ashes Prediction thred, i too predicted a 3-1 win to the Aussies. Like you Leafy, i still stand by it.

I predicted an Australian win for the series. Now I am not so sure with a Mcgrath injury. It changes the picture. I wouldn't like to say now. Obviously with Mcgrath it would of been comfortable as Lord's Test showed.
One sign of hope for Australia is the way the tail enders batted I think it showed if you bat sensibly the England attack isn't unplayable. If it had been Walsh and Ambrse or Wasim and Waqar it would of been over in twenty minutes. There would of been no chance of getting even fifty runs.
Too many loose shots from the Aussie top order.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Leafy Seadragon

Well Ern, from all accounts the Old Trafford wicket is a turner, so on the basis of evidence so far, that's 2-1 Oz. With the Oval 3-1. Fair prediction - thanks mate.

I am a Lancastrian don't forget, and I have know Old Trafford to play opposit to the way it was intended, but normally helps the spin bowlers a little, but that does not mean OZ will win,but if stats are to be believed, Flintoff never does well at Old Trafford, his own ground.

If England win at Old Trafford, I think England will win the series, with Trent Bridge and the Oval to come.