The Ashes

[tHEgLASSdOORS]

As November is pretty much the most pointless month of the year, I’m glad this is on the horizon as the days become shortest. I was probably the only person that was glad of a winter World Cup along the same lines.

Anyhow, mainly just looking forward to Pind and Cuzer trading snipes for a few weeks

3-2 England

[MrBater]

Get out of it, November is one of the best months of the year.

The Ashes just bring its prestige status down a bit.

[CA Baggie]

As November is pretty much the most pointless month of the year, I’m glad this is on the horizon as the days become shortest. I was probably the only person that was glad of a winter World Cup along the same lines.

Anyhow, mainly just looking forward to Pind and Cuzer trading snipes for a few weeks

3-2 England

3-1 Aussies, England will be 2-0 down and win the 4th test to give hope of a draw only to throw a potentially winning position away. Again.

[mickeypearce]

Can’t see anything other than a comfortable Aussie win unfortunately, our batting is too brittle and the fast bowlers can’t stay fit. Hope I’m wrong but I think it will be 4-0.

[ChamonixBaggie]

4-0 to them and Wood/Archer will manage 2 tests each. Root to continue without a ton in Aus which they will continue to crow about. Darkness falls across the land. All is woe.

[Tom Joad 25]

This Aussie side ain't all that. On ability and talent the teams are closer than many might think. Much of it will be down to mental strength, this is where we often fall short.

[Josh1873]

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.

[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.

There's a fine line between what people perceive as arrogance and confidence. It's a very British trait to dislike overt confidence. The Aussies on the other hand embrace it. 

One thing I'm sure about, if we go there and try and play conservatively or the typical English way of old, we will get steam rollered. 

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.

[Malcolm Tucker]

4-0 Aussies. We are fucking useless in their conditions.

[Josh1873]

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.