Sadly I can’t say I’m surprised. I thought we’d get rolled over for about 200 and so it proved. Australia’s bowlers are just too good. They have four genuinely world class performers. England have just the two. Like England’s attack in 2005 there’s never any let up in quality. If you get through Starc and Hazlewood then the next two bowlers are just as effective. Sadly, Anderson and Broad are supported by Woakes and Ball, who have been really disappointing in...
The Gabba – Days 1, 2, 3
Day Three I don’t want to be negative, and I hate to say “I told you so” (especially as this game isn’t finished by a long shot), but day three showed us precisely why Australia were always favourites in this Ashes series. Both teams have fragile batting line-ups – everyone knows that – but the hosts have Steve Smith, the immovable object, and a bowling attack with more pace. Both these factors are absolutely crucial. Although speed isn’t everything...
The Definitive TFT Writers’ Ashes Predictions
So this is it. After weeks of build up the Ashes has finally arrived. It’s only a matter of hours until Joe Root wins the toss and inserts Australia on a featherbed after seeking advice from Nasser Hussain. Don’t laugh. It may actually happen. In the spirit of Ashes festivities we’ve come up with a definitive TFT Ashes prediction guide. I’ve spoken to all our contributors, asked them what they expect to happen, and here are the results. You’ll see it’s the...
England Can Win By Winning Over The Australian Public
I admit it. I’m not optimistic about England’s chances this winter. I’ve seen too many Ashes tours go wrong to expect anything less than a good kicking. However, I don’t think it’s a done deal. Australia aren’t particularly good either. The unexpected selections of Paine and Marsh show that their XI is somewhat in flux and their confidence might be a tad brittle. Because of this, I don’t think it will take too much for England to turn what is usually a huge disadvantage – the raucous and none...
Alastair Cook, Your Country Needs You
Occasionally an article lands in my inbox at exactly the right time. And this is one of them. I’ve long thought that Alastair Cook’s form would be absolutely in the Ashes. And I think, in many ways, he needs to have a good series to safeguard his legacy as an ostensibly great batsman. Cook’s Ashes record really isn’t very good. In fact, if you take out that amazing series in 2010/11 – which came against the weakest Australian attack I can remember – then...
Australia’s Selection Meltdown: Are They Panicking Already?
Well, well, well. It seems that Australia’s selectors are just as barmy as England’s hopeless trio. The Aussies have made three controversial selections in their squad for the first test. Young Cameron Bancroft has come in for Matt Renshaw, old Tim Paine has come in for Nevill / Wade, and even older Shaun Marsh has been recalled ahead of Hilton Cartwright (who sounds a bit like an upmarket hotel). Although I doubt these selections will make a rat’s arse of difference to the...
