2015 Ashes Preview
So the Ashes is only a few days away. With this series hopefully emulating that famous 2005 series. Both sides seem reasonable match and a lot has been made of the sledging. Sledging is all part of cricket and I believe it should still be, especially in an Ashes series. Cricket is very psychological and a great deal has been made of the Warner-Root situation. But hopefully this series can be played in the right spirt and no ones over steps the mark.
On that note of sledging, the Aussies will look to get under Ben Stokes skin and distract him from his game like Marlon Samuels did recently in the West Indies. Stokes looks to have a massive future ahead of him and is already being tipped to be the next Flintoff or Botham. Hopefully he can control his temperament and channel that into his bowling and batting, as he maybe the one player to step up and prove something special.
On that note of sledging, the Aussies will look to get under Ben Stokes skin and distract him from his game like Marlon Samuels did recently in the West Indies. Stokes looks to have a massive future ahead of him and is already being tipped to be the next Flintoff or Botham. Hopefully he can control his temperament and channel that into his bowling and batting, as he maybe the one player to step up and prove something special.
Stokes county teammate Mark Wood, seems to be a breath of fresh air for English cricket fans. He bowled well against New Zealand and at a good pace, but the most important thing is that he seems to be realising every moment with England and seems to be a good character in the dressing room. Can Woods put fear into the Aussie batsman?
The key wicket for England will be the massively improved and in-form batsman Steve Smith. His record in all formats of cricket over the last year and a half has been outrageous. But in English conditions will he be able to cope with the pressure? Leader of the pack James Anderson will be the go to man for Cook and it should be a great contest.
The key wicket for England will be the massively improved and in-form batsman Steve Smith. His record in all formats of cricket over the last year and a half has been outrageous. But in English conditions will he be able to cope with the pressure? Leader of the pack James Anderson will be the go to man for Cook and it should be a great contest.
Another man who has picked up some form just at the right time for the Aussies has been Marsh, who has done well in the 2 warm up games. The dilemma for the Aussies will be who will open. Will they stick with Marsh or do they want the reliable Chris Rogers who knows English conditions and has scored for fun for the county teams he has represented. The Aussies have more selection worries with Fast bowler Ryan Harris having to retire through injury just at the wrong time. It also seems strange how Mitchell Johnson who demolished the whole of England batting line up in Australia is not favourite to make the 11.
It looks like Lyth and Cook will open the batting. The only selection dilemma for England will be do they go for 2 spinners with the dry weather which has seen Rashid make the 13 man squad. But if England only go for one spinner who will miss out Ali or Rashid.
I think this will be a great Ashes series. Hopefully the rain will stay away and the game can be played in the right spirit. It will be interesting how strong both teams are when injuries and conditions play there part.
My prediction is 2-1 England.
It looks like Lyth and Cook will open the batting. The only selection dilemma for England will be do they go for 2 spinners with the dry weather which has seen Rashid make the 13 man squad. But if England only go for one spinner who will miss out Ali or Rashid.
I think this will be a great Ashes series. Hopefully the rain will stay away and the game can be played in the right spirit. It will be interesting how strong both teams are when injuries and conditions play there part.
My prediction is 2-1 England.