Wednesday 4 December 2013

Second Ashes test, 90 minutes away and counting...

04/12/13

It’s freezing cold in eastern England but I’m sure it’ll be hot in Adelaide, in every sense of the word.  This is a massive test match for England, not just for this Ashes series but for the direction this team takes in the future.  Right now defeat would almost certainly mean England will lose this series which will be a bitter blow for us supporters enjoying this period of dominance over the Aussies.  If the Ashes are lost then the makeup of the England team will have to change. 

In 2010/11 England’s batting line up was consistently excellent but it hasn’t fired consistently since.  Trotty has gone for now and may struggle to fight his way back into the side.  This would be a damn shame, top bloke and a top cricketer.  I’d play Joe Root at three then add an all rounder at six for this match.  I also a big fan of Matt Prior but his form over the last six months does not justify his selection.  If his form doesn’t improve then Bairstow is waiting in the wings.

The three main bowlers have rarely let England down but the fourth slot is always up for grabs, no one player has managed to make it his own.  How long will Swann and Anderson be able to carry on at their best?  A couple of years ago our bowling strength looked deep but form and injuries are beginning to make it look a bit bare.


All this doom and gloom!  England need to win the toss and bat properly, then in 24 hours’ time things will feel a lot better!  

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