Will England Retain The Ashes?.

[Jonny_J20]

Englands will have confidence after the brilliant one-day win against the west indies. Plus test cricket is a completly different game, the last test series played was a 3-0 against rank 3 pakistan which was impressive, there has been a lot of hype and England will have the confidence to be able to beat Australia down under.

If Australia play the same openers, they could have trouble. For one Hayden has no match practice, as he hasnt played in the champions trophy so far and Langer has only played for a few weeks for somerset so he won be in great shape as Australia havnt played test cricket for months, therefore will have to adjust again to test cricket and by the time they adjust they may have already lost the ashes

[John]

Some good points. But I think Australia will win.
1. They are at home.
2.McGrath was either missing or not fit for most of the series.
3.England struggled to win it at home there were various points they could of lost.

[greg]

Originally Posted by John

3.England struggled to win it at home there were various points they could of lost.

You can also argue that but for the weather in Manchester they would have had the series won before the last match.

[John]

Originally Posted by greg

You can also argue that but for the weather in Manchester they would have had the series won before the last match.

Red herring. They just about got there overall it was a struggle.
Don't get me wrong England could still win but Australia are favourites.

[Quagmire]

lets just hope both teams bring the form from the Champions trophy into the Ashes

[ashes_glory]

England will not regain the ashes in australia. Australia have hit glittering form as 'one-unit' and only a few factors are unsettled but they shouldn't really be any trouble 2 solve.
1. One of the troubles they face is some of the batting places within the team. Michael Clarke's potential no.6 spot is under treat from the all-rounder Shane Watson. Clarke will make it back 2 no.6 and Watson will somehow play, taking eith no.6 or either somebody elses spot.
2. Damien Martyn I think isn't really suited 2 no.4 or the Aussie team anymore, this is where Clarke could maybe come in at no.4 and Watson at no.6
3. Who will be Australia's 3rd quick, Bracken or Mitchell Johnsenn, or Watson (again somehow, i'm not 2 sure if he'll make the 1st test).
4. Will we have 4 quicks?
I think batting number's 4 and 6 are unsetteled at the moment and whether 2 play 3 or 4 quicks, or 2 spinners mayb

[greg]

Originally Posted by ashes_glory

I think batting number's 4 and 6 are unsetteled at the moment and whether 2 play 3 or 4 quicks, or 2 spinners mayb

So basically you haven't got a clue how you will line up.

[ashes_glory]

No, it just depends who's in form and who's not in form at the start of the 1st Test. It also depends on the pitch condition 2.

[SixandOut]

Yes. England CAN retain the Ashes. Will they? That remains to be seen. I think they will.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Quagmire

lets just hope both teams bring the form from the Champions trophy into the Ashes

Yep I agree - when England do poor in the PJ game, they then go on and win Test series these days.