The Ashes

[Johnnykayeengland]

I know it's only opinions... but surprised to see Sir Geoffrey as low as 41.
And only 3 English in the top ten.

[rsbaggy2]

First Test is now England's to lose.
Hazelwood out for at least the first Test.

[UCEbaggie]

I know it's only opinions... but surprised to see Sir Geoffrey as low as 41.
And only 3 English in the top ten.

I think it’s incredibly difficult to argue against that top ten. Bradman, Warne, McGrath, Lillee and Border are basically shoe-ins. That then leaves Smith and Steve Waugh as the maybes - and you’d do well to mount a case against their inclusion. So I’d argue that 7/3 Aussie/Eng split is fair

[backsidebaggie]

First Test is now England's to lose.
Hazelwood out for at least the first Test.

No it’s not England’s to lose.

The series might well be close. But saying a test is England’s to lose suggests they’re huge favourites. They’re not.

[Tom Joad 25]

Starting to wish I'd said yes now to those that asked! I can't miss another family Xmas (still unforgiven for going to the Boxing day test 2006) so it would have been tests 1, 2, or 3. My mates are doing a whistle-stop visit for Perth. Fly in, 5 days at cricket and fly back. I couldn't face that distance for such a short visit and new commitments prevent a much longer trip. Have to say I'm feeling much FOMO.

[tHEgLASSdOORS]

I was at that test on Boxing Day 2006. Wandering around by some statue outside a bloke in an Albion top came up to me and said “ow dyow think we’ll gerron today mate?”

We beat Preston 4-2 which was considerably better than the England performance

[rsbaggy2]

First Test is now England's to lose.
Hazelwood out for at least the first Test.

No it’s not England’s to lose.

The series might well be close. But saying a test is England’s to lose suggests they’re huge favourites. They’re not.

Continue to downplay a full strength England team against a seriously under strength Aussie attack.

Never a better chance to start the Ashes with a win.

[pindgill]

One things for certain if England lose this first test it will be a very long way back!!..

[backsidebaggie]

First Test is now England's to lose.
Hazelwood out for at least the first Test.

No it’s not England’s to lose.

The series might well be close. But saying a test is England’s to lose suggests they’re huge favourites. They’re not.

Continue to downplay a full strength England team against a seriously under strength Aussie attack.

Never a better chance to start the Ashes with a win.

Im not downplaying their chances. Yes they have a great chance. It’s likely going to be close.

But they’re not big favourites, it’s not anyone’s to lose.

[Shabby Russian]

I know it's only opinions... but surprised to see Sir Geoffrey as low as 41.
And only 3 English in the top ten.

Did Boycott have a great ashes record, good undoubtedly. Plus he did have a test hiatus which spared him the series when Thomson and Lille took us apart.

More surprised by the gap between Flintoff and Botham. Might be thinking of their overall test career not their Ashes career. Take the view that Flintoff was a better cricketer than Botham.