I think OF that the pressure is on Ponting to regain the Ashes, Flintoff simply does not live up to the title of this thread, he ain't no Ashes failure.

I think Flintoff has the same attributes and failings as Vaughan, by that I mean he can let a game drift, but I doubt he would crack under pressure.

I don't know if England expects or not - but at this stage I have England as favorites, because they hold the Ashes - so that makes it that Australia are under pressure to win more than England.

England have a good record in Tests, and if Simon Jones is the only player missing, I just can't see England getting beat, Australia it seems will play Mcgrath - I said last year he was ageing, 2006 is one year older.

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Ern

I agree entirely... but which failures had you got in mind?

It's not an Ashes failure with either, but I think Vaughan in the last ICC Champions Trophy final made a huge error when it became obvious that the Windie's were going to win - he could and should have tried Giles to see if he could have turned the game for England - this was one game when pace alone was not going to win the day.
Despite Flintoff's decent start as England captain, I seem to remember a similar criticism thrown at Flintoff in one match - he was reluctant to use the spin option, however I would hope he has learned from that, and will not be afraid to use his spin options if a game is drifting, as this happens when there is nothing in the pitch for pace bowlers.

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Ern

Flintoff an ashes failure? He has only had one series - and a damn good series at that. Sorry Ern, i have to disagree - Flintoff is an Ashes success IMO.

False hope i'm afraid. Ever wondered why the bulk of test captains (successful ones anyway) are batsmen? Flintoff, like all bowling captains, have faith in one certain type of bowling - their own. So they tend to overbowl themselves, to the detriment of their team, and tend to have little faith in different style bowlers (spinners). And while they are overbowling themselves, they start to lose sight of the big picture as they become too focused on their own bowling - to the detriment of the team. And after overbowling themselves, the are so physically and mentally exhausted that they start making captaincy errors. And looking at the game from a batsmans perspective is required for successful captaincy on the field IMO.

England won in 2005 largely on the back of Flintoffs effort with ball and bat. If he has the captaincy as well then something will have to give. If only his batting suffers then England will get by. But if his bowling suffers then England can kiss the urn goodbye. I would make Strauss captain orEngland risk killing the goose who laid the golden eggs.

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I would say Panesar but he has not really done anything to be a big failure like Gillespie had done before last Ashes series. Flintoff is my second pick only because of the pressure of carrying the side with bat, ball and captaincy. Damien Martyn could either have a brilliant series or a shocker so he could be up there too.

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Bill Ponsford - The only one who could play in Bradman’s company and make it a duet.

not that it matters but the thread was intended to get predictions of who'll fail - upcoming ashes

which is why i didn't call an aussie failure - clark and johnson would have been on my list but, like you say, they have no real record so i discounted them.

however there is still a difference - no-one is expecting monty to do more than a job (certainly not to set the ashes alight) whereas there may be more expectation on say, for example, johnson. so picking him to implode would be acceptable. monty should not be up for selection in this thread!

Dare I say it, how about Glen McGrath, for me this could be one series too many, I do feel he is a great bowler, but at 36 (turning 37 soon) and with a lot of overs under his belt over the years, I would not be surprised if he does not make the huge impact he has previously made.

I always feel it is sad when great players finish badly, and really hope that it doesn't end that way, but if he is not careful it could go that way.

I'm with you Flanny. I think that McGrath will run out of steam. I also feel that Martyn may have come to the end of the road - the old reactions not as good as they used to be.


For England, I think KP is going to have to work very hard not to have a major whoopsie - they'll be at him all the time - and also sadly, Harmy. I think he's fragile, and if they get after him early it could be unpleasant. That said, if he gets a bouncy one early up, it could be the making of him. Tresco, I don't think he'll finish the series.

Those I think will do well - Strauss, secretly smarting from the captaincy thing, burning desire to prove himself and (if he gets a game) Mitchell the fast left armer chappie - I think he's mustard.

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I'll have the Mouseburger please, with a side of Goldfish.

Neither do I!! I feel that he has lost it mentally, and although I am a great fan, I feel that it is exactly the kind of weakness the Aussies will exploit. By the end of the series I will expect Strauss and Cook to be the regular openers.

and I think that is a big "If" I get the feeling the Aussie selectors will pick MacGill and Clark before they pick Johnson.

Yes, soz mate thats what i was going to add as well.

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