Ashes series 2015

Rashid is a far better spinner than Ali especially in first class cricket and has much better bowling statistics. However Ali is a front line batsman and will therefore play as England will go for depth in the batting order.

I think with the summer we have the wickets will be batsmen/spinner friendly. For that reason I think both Ali and Rashid will play important roles during the Series. I think Rashid will come in around the second or third test. Though no Donald Bradmen he is no mug with the bat. Just get the feeling with him that the higher the level the better he plays.

I do think that Swans loss of form and England's failure to fully replace him, and our declining ability to get tailenders out is no coincidence. End of the day it's all just opinion.

I personally think a flutter on Wood to be our leading wicket taker For the series would not be a bad bet.

There is one pretty fundamental problem England have in this series. It's called Australia!!.
The Aussie bowling line up is so strong.
Even when Starc and Johnson have finished dismantling the England batting order the likes of Ryan Harris, Josh Hazlewood and Peter Siddle are lurking to create more mayhem.
England somehow need to get some runs .
The Aussie batsmen are looking good especially Steve Smith but its England's batting I am desperately worried about.
My fear is we could just get skittled time and again with Starc and Johnson inflicting horrific damage.
England used to be able to get out of jail with tail end runs but Australia's premier bowlers are masters at wiping out tail enders. I really fear the worst in this series I'm afraid even in English conditions .
It makes no difference what team is picked and how they try to play. Every time I think about this series my primary feeling is one of utter dread .
I fear a real drubbing!!

Think it might be closer than people think.

(03-07-2015 23:16 )lancealot790 Wrote:  Think it might be closer than people think.

Yes the good weather might go and a couple might be lost to rain

sounds like Ryan Harris' Ashes tour is over after suffering a knee injury....
I guess that's a small piece of good news for England....
UPDATE; -

Ryan Harris forced to retire from cricket with immediate effect

^ That helps England a little bit.
The bad news is that Pat Cummins is to replace him .
And he is a fine bowler too .

(04-07-2015 10:34 )snookered147 Wrote:  ^ That helps England a little bit.
The bad news is that Pat Cummins is to replace him .
And he is a fine bowler too .

so I heard.....
I thin he's only played 1 test...

Bookmakers have Australia to win the ashes at odds of 4-9
England 9-2. That is incredible for a 2 horse race.
By all accounts England only plan to start with one spinner at Cardiff. No prizes for guessing who that will be. Rashid must be the best drinks Carrier in the business now.

According to differing reports it will either be a green pitch that will have u all out for 100 or a pitch that becomes a dust bowl and a spinners wet dream ... My Guess is the ECB will want 5 days of gate receipts and it will be a 400 par pitch.

As for the team, drop Ballance, Root to 3 Bell 4, Ali 5 and Rashid in too. Ali is a batsman who bowls, not a bowler who bats!! He has had too much pressure on his bowling and it has taken his focus off his batting. Let him bat at 5 and bowl less overs, his hundred last year showed what a marvelous batter he is.