The Ashes

[richbaggie]

If we have shaken off the brain-dead arrogance we stand a chance. I doubt that'll be the case, so I can't see anything other than an Aus win. I reckon a 3-1 series defeat.

I personally hope we go there and play positively, take risks and give it a go, but also make sure we play sensibly if a situation requires it.

Fair points, this is also a fine line, isn't it? 

Take risks and get a quick 50 that rescues England - hero and genius. Take risks and get out silly - you're brain-dead and a prat. 

I'm guilty of this myself, and I admit it's a fine line, and to an extent you can't have one without the other. But there are situations where we have to be brave, dig in, and just be sensible and absorb good bowling, which we more often than not fail to do.

I think it'll be an interesting series and will be the closest (I can see each Test being close, rather than Aus dominating most Tests like that have done over the years) down under for a while, but ultimately I think Aussies will have too much for us. On paper there's no much between the two sides, really.

I think they reigned it in somewhat this summer and at least stopped talking shite about wanting to entertain. There were still moments that could be described as reckless but that will go with the territory of a team made up of attacking players. 

I think the biggest obstacle is the conditions, in my lifetime,  we've rarely handled them well, with better and more balanced teams at our disposal. Joe Root is the biggest example, he's never played with any consistency out there.

I think, because of the inability to handle fast bouncy pitches, we will lose. We have also struggled to handle the pressure over there and the aggressive nature of their players and home support. I can't see this team being anything but motivated by that so think that will be less of an issue but we have to control that and not over attack. Positive but controlled.