Player Profile: Ricky Ponting

The Ashes 2009

Player Profiles and Predictions

by Chris Smith

Australian Captain

Ricky Ponting

Ponting has one of the best winning records of any captain in test cricket, but one wonders how long this will last and also if the winning record he has is down to his captaincy or being fortunate to have some of the greatest test cricketers of all time in his team. Some might say a combination of both, but I have always been of the opinion that Ponting is in fact a poor captain particularly with respect to his tactical acumen. This was shown in England in 2005 where Michael Vaughan captained him off the field and more recently in India in the fourth test. On the fourth day Australia had India reeling before tea and with wickets after tea might have had Australia looking at chasing a gettable target to level the series. Instead worrying about over rates, Ponting had his spinners on and even Michael Hussey’s medium pace and not his strike bowlers. Momentum was lost and Australia ended up chasing too many on the last day and subsequently lost the series. I have thought that for a long time, even with quality players Ponting has been a captain that has erred on the side of defence, which can let other teams gain the upper hand. He is also quick to lose his cool in situations that don’t favour his team, he gets easily upset, which can lead to a lack of focus on the field. This seems to be happening more often as wins are harder to come by.

One thing that is not in doubt, despite Harbajhan Singh’s ridiculous comments, is his batting quality and the respect of his players. I’m not sure how you can criticise a batsman who is averaging 57 in a test career spanning 124 matches. Ponting is truly a great batsman, with a good record against England, but perhaps not as good as you might imagine.

His main weakness in his batting is early on in his innings. Ponting has always had a pronounced forward movement when he bats and because of this can be unbalanced to begin with. This can cause two weaknesses that England can probe for at the start of his innings. The first is a tendency to play around his front pad early on, opening up lbw possibilities. This does get better as he goes through an innings though and Ponting then starts to become particularly severe on any balls bowled near his pads. The second is a problem dealing with a ball of extra bounce, just back of a length, I have seen him out a number of times caught in the gully off the shoulder of the bat. But again if the bowler is too short there is no better puller of the cricket ball in the game. The margins for error, as with most great players are small.

Ashes prediction

One of the leading run scorers in the series for Australia, only behind Michael Hussey. Ponting’s wicket will be of vital importance.

Expect Ponting to get frequently flustered when captaining in the field as his side will have many questions to answer without McGrath and Warne in English conditions.

Pontings test record (as of 24/11/08)

Overall: Matches: 124 Runs: 10386 Bat Ave: 57.06

Vs England: Matches: 26 Runs: 1978 Bat Ave: 48.40

Click these links to view our Ashes Preview or Rick Ponting's rival captain's profile and prediction for Kevin Pietersen

Ashes Tickets Available via Ballot

Yorkshire County Cricket Club has announced that in view of high public demand for next summer's fourth ashes test to be held at Headingly; that they have established an online ballot system to decide the allocation of the few remaining tickets that are to be put on sale.

Australia play England at Headingley Carnegie between Friday August 7 to Tuesday August 11, 2009.

The online ballot will open on Monday December 1 and close on January 31 2009. To enter the ballot you simply have to fill out an online form that can be found on the official Yorkshire County Cricket site.

The draw will take place during February with the successful applicants be notified.

Each applicant will be able to apply for up to four tickets per day on the ballot form. The number of tickets available may be revised to two tickets per person per day in view of the number of applicants who register online.

Please note that Yorkshire CCC have stressed that applications will not be accepted over the telephone or in person under any circumstances. To avoid disappointment, interested parties should not come to the ground or telephone the club on December 1.

Should more ashes tickets become available in the future Yorkshire CCC will hold similar ballots.

Good Luck getting your hands on some ashes tickets!

Aussie Captain Backs Hayden For the Ashes 2009

Australian captain Ricky Ponting has given Aussie opener Matthew Hayden his full support and backing after the openers latest couple of failure's against New Zealand in the recent Test victory over the black caps. These two failures with the bat come on the back of a poor tour to India for Hayden, who admitted last week that his place in the baggy green line up was by no means assured.

Hayden's poor form with the bat has led to great speculation in the Australian media whether or not Hayden will be good enough to partake in next years Ashes series.

The 37 year old batsman who is preparing to play his 100th test match in Adelaide next weekend should gain a degree of confidence after his skipper declared Hayden as the best opener in the country. Ponting also went on to predict that Hayden would celebrate his 100th appearance for Australia in style.

Ponting feels that Matthew Hayden still has the desire and hunger to compete at test level and feels that Hayden will be a key figure during next years ashes tour.

"I feel skills-wise and hunger-wise Matthew Hayden is still my best opener," said Ponting.

"I have seen how hungry Matty is. I think anyone batting in the top order can be excused for their batting here. The ball he got in the second innings would get any player in the world out first ball."

Hayden only got 8 in the 1st innings against New Zealand before getting a peach of a first ball delivery from Chris Martin in the 2nd.

"The pleasing thing for me about it is I got down here early the next day and Matty makes me bring him a coffee from the hotel," Ponting said.

"I put the coffee on his seat because I did not think he was at the ground but he was in the indoor nets already and he had been there for nearly an hour.

"That said to me that real hunger was still there. He has always been one to work extremely hard on his game if he feels there is something not quite right.

"I know Matthy's game as well as anyone because I played so long with him. I have picked things up about the way he thinks and the way he plays and he will say `how did you know that?"

"I haven't seen anything to suggest he is not as good as he used to be. It is only a couple of Tests ago he made a terrific 80. He got a couple of poor decisions in India and when you are not scoring as many runs as you like those things tend to add up pretty quickly.

"I wouldn't be reading too much into Matty's form. He has his 100th Test this week. I know having been there and done that it is one of those things in my career I was most proud of.

"He can reap the benefits of the work he has done this week and I wouldn't be surprised if you see another really good score."

Australia will need all the experience they can get for next years Ashes series, particularly to help support the younger players who are in the process of establishing themselves as international test cricketers, but at the same time Australia cannot afford to carry any particular player in the squad. Everyone will have to earn their place!

As crucial as the home and away test series against South Africa is for Australia's build up to the Ashes, you can't help to think that, that particular series will decide if Matthew Hayden joins the touring ashes party to England next summer or not.

Ashes Preperations could be Disrupted

Dave Kidd has reported in today's People Newspaper, that the ECB's preparation plans for next summer's Ashes series could be thrown into turmoil due to England players refusing to sign their central contracts.

Apparently the England players elected not to sign the contracts until after the Stanford match (and we all know how that went). The England players feel miffed that they lost their £650,000 per man match and subsequently came away from the West Indies with nothing.

The centrally-contracted players feel that they are missing out on some big money that is on offer from the IPL (Indian Premier League). Of course the ECB did try and replace the lure of the IPL with the Stanford match, however, as was proven; if a team loses that one-off match the players walk away with nothing, compared with the guaranteed income/wages on offer from IPL franchises.

The ECB have only made the contracted players available to the IPL for twelve days next spring.

That decision by the ECB has led IPL franchise owners to insist that they will not be employing any centrally-contracted England players next season.

This in house fighting could seriously disrupt the England teams preparations for next summer's ashes series. Let's hope the players and the ECB can sort something out and reach an agreement.

Vaughan Begins His Ashes Quest

Michael Vaughan has begun his quest to return to the international cricketing fold today when it was announced that Vaughan would be joining England's performance programme that is due to tour India in ten days time.

Vaughan revealed playing in the 2009 Ashes Series is one of the main motivational reasons behind his inclusion in England's Performance programme squad.

Vaughan has had a three-month layoff from the game. The ECB confirmed today Vaughan will be joining the England Performance Programme, giving a clear indication that Vaughan is prepared to put in the time and effort to fight for his England recall.

The performance programme squad will play two four-day matches during a month-long tour.

Vaughan was surprisingly awarded a 12-month central contract by the ECB in September after being omitted from the final South African test in the summer following his resignation as England captain. Vaughan was also omitted from the full 15-man England squad that is currently in India preparing to play seven one-day internationals and two Tests.

The Yorkshire batsman captained the England side that regained the Ashes in 2005. Vaughan is indeed one of England's most successful captains. He hopes his performances will help him break back into the full side for Australia’s visit next summer.

"That would be the pinnacle, to get back in and try and play in the Ashes,” said Vaughan.

"I just want to try and do as well as I can and get that feeling of batting and scoring runs again. I'm sure it will be just around the corner.

“Ultimately, I'd love another go at Australia and beyond that.

"I've had a good break, it's a break that I would have had at this time of year anyway, so I feel ready to get back and hopefully try and push for a place in the England side."

One of England’s selectors, Geoff Miller, agreed that Michael Vaughan could win back his place in the England side, but warned the Yorkshireman it will not be easy.

Miller said: “He’s had his break, he required it and he has come back refreshed. He’s now in the position that he has to start putting in some performances to get himself back in the side.”

“He’s got to overtake the players who currently occupy those positions in the side and those that are in contention for a Test place, and that can only be done by performances.

“But he’ll work hard at it. I know he wants to get back in the side and he’s a quality player.

“We are a better side when he’s playing well because of his experience, but he’ll have to force his way back in via his performances.”

During their tour of India, the Performance squad will link up with the main England team which will be Vaughans first involvement since handing over the captaincy reigns to Kevin Pietersen. The current England captain was delighted to hear of Vaughan’s call-up.

“It's good because it gives us strength in depth to have a guy like that around with his experience,” he said.

“He's coming back into the fold now and has his head back on - and he's willing to do whatever it takes to get back into the England team, which is great.”

Monty Panesar, who is not part of the England ODI set-up, has also been added to the performance squad ahead of the Test series in India to act as preparation ahead of the Test series against India.

Fraser - Australia Down But Not Out For The Ashes

Gus Fraser the former Middlesex and England stalwart has written an article in the independent describing, what deep down in our hearts, we all know is true and that is that it is far too early to write of Australia and predict an England ashes win.

Bookmakers across the board have slashed England's odds since Australia's first series defeat since 2005 against what is a very good Indian side (especially in India). Australia are still favorite with the bookies but the gap is closing.

Fraser's article begins "Australia's series defeat in India will hit the cricket-loving inhabitants of Sydney, Melbourne and Perth hard. It gives those who have not rejoiced in an almost 15-year period of Australian dominance the opportunity for bravado too. And it's true, Ricky Ponting's side is a shadow of that which walloped England 5-0 in 2006-07.

Fraser goes on "But if the cricket world believes that from the Aussies, it had better think again. The defeat, like that in the 2005 Ashes, will lead to soul-searching but those in charge of Australian cricket will not sit down and feel sorry for themselves. They will not panic. They will assess what they need to do and plan a way forward."

The defeat in 2005 is indeed exactly what we need to look at in order to see Australia's great resilience and the fact that Australia can bounce back and return to winning. The true indication of an Australian demise will not be apparent until after the Australian vs. South Africa series. The other important issue is that England are currently in India and will face the team that has just beaten Australia very soon. This should provide us with an indication of how competitive this England team under KP is.

Fraser also gave the reason for Australia' s strength being the government's investment into the cricketing academy and sport in general. The other reason Fraser gives is that Australia breeds youngsters who want nothing more than to follow in the footsteps of greats like Bradman, Warne and CO.

England has without doubt bridged the gap and advantage that the Australian institute of sport (AIS) had over us and other nations due to our own form of sporting investment. Lottery funding has provided our youngsters across the sporting board with the opportunity and resources to achieve sporting success.

Fraser also reminds us that we are overlooking another critical point whilst looking at the Australian demise and that is; if England lose to India and South Africa defeat Australia then the Ashes becomes a battle for the 3rd best team in the world.

You can read the full Angus Fraser aricticle here. You can also read our early Ashes preview/prediction by clicking here.

Flintoff - Captain Needs Support

Andrew Flintoff the England all-rounder feels that a captain needs all of the support he can get, especially when things are not going well. The former England captain seems to have felt very alone during his tenancy as captain during the disastrous 2006/07 Ashes whitewash in Australia.

Calling the aftermath of the 0-5 loss, against the Australians, as the lowest point of his career, Flintoff said that he often felt isolated in the eye of growing criticism while his teammates were busy fending for themselves.

"When we were getting hammered out there, it was a lonely one as well. Blame was flying in all directions and a lot was assigned to me. What happened then was that self-preservation kicked in among some of the players. It was human nature, they started looking after themselves and retreated into their own groups," said Flintoff.

"In hindsight, the captaincy was one job too many for me. I felt isolated. It was the lowest point of my career and, having been through it," said the 29-year-old all-rounder who is currently in India preparing with England for a seven ODI and two Test tour.

Every cloud has a silver lining which England and current captain Kevin Pietersen could benefit from. Flintoff's traumatic experience as captain will prevent the same thing from happening again, indeed Flintoff has pledged his full support to current skipper Kevin Pietersen so that he does not have to go through the same trauma that he went through in Australia.

"I would never let a captain I played for go through that experience. Kevin has started brilliantly and the team have responded. But he has to be ready if things start to go wrong," Flintoff was quoted as saying in the 'Mail on Sunday'.

"Being captain of England is a great job, especially when you are winning. But when you are struggling, it is tough and you can't just do it from 9am to 7pm. It is with you all the time and it plays on you. I hope it never comes to it, but if things start to go wrong I'm going to make sure KP doesn't stand alone."

Kevin Pietersen can rest assured that he can rely on the support of Andrew Flintoff when the chips are down. Flintoff will no doubt rally all of the men behind Pietersen when the time comes, which should make the unit far stronger and harder to beat.

Hick - The Ashes are the Ultimate Battle

Former England batsmen and prolific first-class cricket run machine Graeme Hick, who has scored 40,000 first-class runs, insists that although the current series being held in India between Australia and the hosts may have caught the cricketing world's attention, the Ashes will always remain extra special due to it's underlying history, rivalry and heritage.

Talking in Ahmedabad where Hick is representing the Chandigarh Lions, Hick said.

“Australians like to be the best and have performed consistently where ever they play except in India where they are made to work for their money. Although they (Australia) won the 2004 series, they have always found India hard opposition. And this tussle between the two sides has taken prime importance as the visitors are trying hard to break the jinx,” Hick added, “But the Australia-England rivalry is different. It has history attached and so will always be a head turner.”

The current series in India has raised a number of questions regarding the Australian team. Common consensus is that due to retirements the Australians have slipped back towards the pack.

Even if Australia do lose to India in India, the result won't be catastrophic for the Baggy Green's, the sub-continent is and always has been a very hard place to go and win a series. However it will make Australia's back-to-back series' against a strong South African team crucial for both team morale and the cricketing world's perception of the current Australian team's strength.

If England go into next years ashes believing that they can beat Australia due to poor Aussie form then the Ashes will become that much harder for Australia to retain.

Click here to read our ashes 2009 early preview.

Form Crucial Leading into the Ashes

Former Australia opener Justin Langer, who's opening partnership with Matthew Hayden in test matches was one of the most successful of all time, believes the lead-up to next summer's Ashes will prove crucial to the eventual outcome of the series.

The statistics definitely back Langer up; England entered the 2005 Ashes contest on the back of five consecutive Test series victories and went on to clinch the series 2-1, but their form ahead of the 2006-7 series - which Australia won 5-0 - was patchy at best.

"I think it's going to be a really good contest - I think the next few months are going to be significant as to who wins the Ashes," said Langer.

"In 2005 England had gained some great confidence and they'd formulated a really strong team, a core of players and they came into it really confident.

"In the Lord's Test match in 2005 (Steve) Harmison ran in to bowl to me and the first ball flew through to the wicketkeeper, Geraint Jones took it and England were all over us like bees to honey.

"It was unbelievable the body language, the attitude - they were really up for it. The next ball hit me on the elbow and I thought, 'We're in for a fight here' and although we won the first Test, that was the attitude and feeling throughout the whole series.

"Last time (in 2006-7) Harmison ran in to bowl the first ball and it went to second slip.

"The most significant thing was not that it went to second slip but that I was looking round for a fight because we were up for this more than ever before.

"But the England players' body language, everything, was so different.

"If they gain confidence or Australia gain confidence leading into the Ashes, that'll be a telling part as to how the series goes."

Langer himself announced on 1 January 2007 that he would retire on completion of the 5th Ashes test in Sydney. A fitting end to have successfully regained the ashes after what must have been a bitter loss in the 2005 series.

Botham Stokes Ashes Fire

England legend Sir Ian Botham has predicted an "Easy" Ashes series win for England over Australia next summer. Unusual for an Englishman to make this kind of a prediction, it normally comes in the form of a 5-0 to Australia from the likes of of McGrath or Warne. Indeed Shane Warne has already made that exact prediction.

In a radio interview on Radio 5 Live Botham said "We'll win easily. I do believe we'll win quite comfortably over here," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"The Australians might start banging the drum saying they're going to win next summer, but I don't think so for one moment."

Botham on the other hand completely disagrees with Warne's prediction and instead believes that the outcome will be very different to the 5-0 whitewash during the last series and in favour of England; mainly due to a weaker Australian bowling attack.

"I don't think they've got the bowlers - they're weak in the bowling attack and getting old," added the 52-year-old.

"I predicted it in 2005 and I predict it again now.

"It's never straightforward, but I think we'll dominate because we have the bowlers and that's the one thing Australia are lacking.

"They've got Brett Lee who's a terrific performer and after that there's no spinner, there's no McGrath out there."

Botham used Australia's lack of potency in the bowling attack during their current test series against India (in which they are trailing India 1-0) as a perfect example to highlight his point.

"What I've seen so far, I don't see as too much of a threat and if England's bowlers stay fit then they'll win the series," said Botham.

"Batsmen have obviously got to score runs, but you have to take 20 wickets to win the Test match."

Botham also believes that appointing Kevin Pietersen as captain of England could be an inspirational masterstroke by the selectors.

"Kevin averaged 50 plus runs before he was captain and I think you'll see that go up maybe as much as 10 runs as captain, because I think he'll thrive on it," he said.

This would be unusual as many captains have worse averages once they take over the role. It would indeed be no surprise if Kevin Pietersen was completely the opposite to the average; he seems to take things in his stride and thrives on pressure. Botham continued.

"Little things he's done have impressed me. For instance England players used to come on to the field and have that ridiculous huddle as if they had forgotten what they were talking about 20 yards away, I've never quite worked that out.

"He's got rid of that and said 'come on boys let's get out and get into the opposition'.

"So he's very much an 'up-and-at-'em' captain and I think he will do well."

So that's Sir Ian Botham's view, you can read our prediction of the ashes here ashes preview which also questions Australia's bowling attack.

Hoggard targets Ashes Series Return

Matthew Hoggard believes that his wealth of international experience could give him a crucial edge in his bid to earn an England recall in time for next summer's Ashes. Hoggard still hopes and believes that he could make an international return despite having been omitted by England on a seamer friendly Trent bridge pitch last summer against South Africa. Last summers disappointment seemed to signify the end of Hoggard's England career due to the fact that the selectors required a like-for-like bowler to replace the injured Ryan Sidebottom and chose the unknown Darren Pattison ahead of Matthew Hoggard.

The Yorkshire seamer, who is now 31 years of age, last played in a test match against New Zealand back in March, in a match that England lost convincingly. Hoggard returned disappointing figures of one for 151 and admitted aftewards that he was a little undercooked for the match; something that no international player should ever be. As it happens both Harmison and Hoggard were undercooked and both were subsequently dropped after the Hamilton defeat. The dropping of Hoggard after the Hamilton test came as somewhat of a shock as England had relied heavily on Hoggard (both taking wickets and bowling high numbers of overs throughout the duration of a test). Harmison on the other hand had been carried for a number of years putting in performances well below that of the Harmison who was ranked number 1 in the world only a few years prior. Hoggard seemed to pay the price for Harmison's poor form. Once dropped the pair were replaced by the likes of Sidebottom, Anderson and Broad who have all performed admirably.

Hoggard acknowledges this by saying "There's a lot of good cricketers out there and everyone's vying for that England shirt, the thing that I've got above everyone else that wants to play for England is experience."

He added: "I've played 67 Test matches, got a few wickets and in big series like the Ashes I've got the experience to come in. I'm not making my debut, I know what it's all about."

If Hoggard starts the season by bowling well for Yorkshire and England have a difficult series in India then there is every chance that the selectors may start to look for possible replacements for the summers Ashes series.

"I know how the world turns in Test match cricket so it'll be easier for me to come in to a Test team rather than a new boy making his debut against such strong opponents."

The successful return of Steve Harmison to the international test arena also gives Hoggard hope. Harmison looked certain to have played his last test due to lack of form, not enjoying being away from his family and retiring from international one-day cricket.

"It shows that it's not a closed door," Hoggard said.

"'Harmy' bowled extremely well in county cricket. He was the leading wicket-taker when he got selected so it just shows me that I've got to go back and take a lot of wickets for Yorkshire, hopefully keep banging on the selectors' door, and give them enough of a headache for them to open the door and let me in."

There is always hope for an experienced tryer such as Hoggard, he will always give the team 100%, takes important wickets, he also knows what it is like to beat Australia in a high pressure high drama series.

Apart from Flintoff and Panasar (injury permitting), no bowlers place is cemented in the team. Anderson can be inconsistent, Broad may not take enough wickets yet (although his batting at number eight is an enormous bonus) and Sidebottom (who was England's best performer with the ball post Harmison and Hoggard) struggled with injury and looked to have gained a couple of pounds last summer.

Come the summer we may have a bowling attack consisting of Flintoff, Hoggard, Harmison, Jones and Panasar. Do the seamers look familier?

The Ashes 2009 - Early Preview and Prediction

Our Early 2009 Ashes Preview

This is our early preview and prediction for the the Ashes series that is going to grace England in 2009.

By Chris Smith and Lee Drew

The Ashes series next year promises to be an intriguing encounter, as Australia, now struggling to maintain the success they’ve enjoyed over the last ten years or so, take on an England side gradually improving from the depths of despair of the last Ashes encounter in Australia. The series won’t reach the dizzy highs that the Ashes of 2005 achieved, in what was undoubtedly, not only the most entertaining but the highest standard series of cricket that two sides have played at the same time for many years. It will, however, answer many questions that need answering; will Kevin Pietersen manage to mould England into the world beating side they were in 2005 and in the two years leading up to that where England beat all-comers, are Australia a spent force (at least for the near future) and will Andrew Flintoff be able to recapture his match winning prowess and rekindle the English public’s passion for the game as he did in 2005.

Let’s begin with Australia. Although results have been going their way in recent series, they are without doubt not the side they once were. The retirements of McGrath and Warne in particular have left them with a bowling attack, which although is not toothless with the likes of Lee and Clarke, is now looking a lot more comfortable for other teams. If Cameron White is their best spin option at the moment then England should be rubbing their hands with glee. There will be no surprise if Warne makes a return, if White is still number one choice come next summer. It’s not just the spin department either, the back-up seam bowling to Clarke and Lee is not looking as strong as it could be. I’ve watched Mitchell Johnson now in a number of test matches, and am still unconvinced. He bowls with good pace, but seems not to have mastery over the swinging ball and does not consistently get the ball to swing in to the right-hander. He often wastes too many balls by not getting the batsmen to play and his current test record to date (11 matches, Ave. 32.57), suggests this. In England it will be vitally important that he can control his bowling when the ball is swinging, only time will tell if he can manage to do this. I have also yet to be convinced that Shane Watson is a world class player who can replicate his form in county cricket to that of the international stage. Both parts of his game seem better suited to One-Day cricket than to test cricket, he looks weak in defence with the bat and has a lack of penetration with the ball. Watson may well have a holding job with the ball next summer, but I can’t help but picture Kevin Pietersen dancing across his stumps and doing serious damage to his bowling figures.

Australia’s two most experienced, and best bowlers now are Brett Lee and Stuart Clarke. The later, I believe to be the greatest threat to England’s batsmen next summer and Australia will be hoping that his age doesn’t catch up with him and that he gets over the injury problems that have seen him take little part in the series against India. Brett Lee has now, dangerously for Australia, turned into a bit of a stock bowling option for Ricky Ponting. He is in danger of over-using his potent strike bowler. Although England shouldn’t worry about Lee too much, his record in England does not make good viewing if you’re an Australian, 10 matches, 29 wickets at an average of 45.44. If you put together, Lee’s test record against England, worries over Clarke’s fitness, lack of a spin option and the unproven aspect of the rest of the bowling attack, I think Ricky Ponting must be more than a little worried about his bowling options. Confidence in the bowling ranks might also be damaged by the difficult recent series in India and a tough back to back series with South Africa home and away.

South Africa now have the strongest batting side in the world and their seam bowling department has the balance and general nastiness that England’s did in 2005. I would not be at all surprised if Australia are rolled over in both series and if they are defeated in India as well, momentum will certainly not be on their side. I believe if both sides play to their potential South Africa will win. But South Africa as a team need to be able to produce their best when it counts, something that all but captain Graeme Smith have failed to do in the past.

Australia’ strength will be in their batting, they still have four genuine world class batsmen, in Hayden, Ponting, Hussey and Clarke. Simon Katich too has the ability to score lots of runs, although not of the class of Justin Langer. To bowl Australia out is still going to be tough, but one feels that the days of Australia rocketing along at over 4 an over are now gone. Even their class batsmen seem to have gone into their shells lately and the retirement of Gilchrist also has a big impact on the teams run rate. This is another reason why the series next summer will not be of the same excitement and standard of cricket as in 2005. Watching the Aussies over the last 12 months or so just isn’t the same experience, Australia were dominating attacks now they are making themselves hard to get out, grinding out a score. The mind set is changing, but I guess that’s what happens when confidence is low and quality players retire or get injured. You only have to look how England’s style of play changed from that winning attacking formula in 2005 to a more conservative approach when confidence ebbed away with series losses and injury problems.

On to England and is it all rosy in the garden? On the surface it appears so with Pietersen proving an inspirational new captain, but beneath Pietersen’s positive exterior, there are still some issues to address. The batting order still seems very capable of collapsing and much of the batting still has much to prove. England’s batsmen, with the exception of Pieterson, have the uncanny ability to go through very bad patches of form and then just as they face the axe, pull out an outstanding performance that keeps them in the side. Classic examples of this come in the form of Andrew Strauss and Paul Collingwood. Strauss who struggled for a couple of years and then was left out for the tour to Sri Lanka , only to return in New Zealand, was in last chance saloon until a brilliant 177 in the final test innings of the tour. Has he done much before that innings and since? Paul Collingwood too was in dire straits with his game last summer, it looked as if he had never picked up a bat before and was painful to watch. Then in the third test at Edgbaston everyone witnessed Collingwood play an almost miraculous innings, rescuing his test career. A failure surely would not have seen him play in the final test of the series.

The rest of the batting also has problems, Cook is consistent but needs to build on solid starts to his innings and score hundreds. Ian Bell looks like such a class act sometimes and frustratingly disappoints too often and Flintoff has a vulnerability with the bat at the moment which reminds me of his early years in test cricket. Pietersen needs support from the rest of his batting, he is a match winner. He will take risks, he will get himself out playing silly shots, but the last thing England need is for him to go into his shell. Pietersen at his best is on the edge all the time, looking like he could spoon a ball straight up in the air or hit it out of the park, his character is not conservative or sensible if he plays this way his best batting will not shine through. With the rest of England’s batting inconsistent this puts more responsibility and pressure on Pietersen and the more likely he will have to tone down his game. To win against Australia next summer, the rest of the batting needs to let Pietersen play with freedom, if they can do this England can dominate the weakest attack Australia will have sent to England in the modern era.

Decisions need to be made in the bowling department also and the winter tests in India and the West Indies will decide which bowlers take the field in the first Ashes test next summer. For me Flintoff and Panesar are the only sure fire selections (injury permitting). James Anderson has improved his control greatly over the last year or so and when the ball is swinging there are few more dangerous bowlers in the world. His confidence is a fragile thing however and this can cause dramatic slumps in form, this is a problem that Steve Harmison also shares. Harmison made a good comeback at the end of the summer against South Africa, but what Harmison will turn up on any given day is anyone’s guess, how often has he really disappointed. Ryan Sidebottom was the first name on the team sheet until last summer, his accuracy and subtle swing bowling proved a real asset, but he let his fitness slide and by the end of the summer was looking a little portly, injury soon followed. Sidebottom bowling well can cause real problems to Australia, especially to their two dominant left handers, Hayden and Hussey. Hayden in the recent India series has had major problems with left-armer Zaheer Khan in less swing-friendly conditions than in England.

With lots of factors to weigh up the result of the series is uncertain, but England do have a very real chance to claim the Ashes once again. One feels that England is a team again heading in the right direction, a team that after a bit of a crisis caused by retirements and injuries is improving. Australia, on the hand, is for the first time in a long time vulnerable and capable of losing to a team that are not world beaters. England’s winter tests will be important for the team to build momentum and form and much will depend on how Australia do against a good South African team in their back to back series in Australia and South Africa.

Australia will start marginal favourites but I think England have the players to win. It will be a close series but my prediction is 2-1 England, with two draws; as I think both sides may find it difficult to take 20 wickets unless helped by the conditions.

Ashes Cricket Books Reviewed

We will be featuring regular reviews of ashes related cricket books.

To buy any of the featured books visit the ashes 2009 amazon astore

The Ashes, Cricket Related Books.

Feature #1

The Ashes Miscellany.

This is the 2nd edition of the enormously successful Ashes Miscellany (it was a best seller at the time of the 2006 Ashes series). The book is compiled by Clive Batty featuring a short foreword by David Gower.

The Ashes Miscellany contains a huge amount of miscellaneous ashes information including profiles, stories, statistics and trivia:

Which two cricket legends have taken the most catches in Ashes matches?

Which player holds the record for the most beers drunk on a flight between London and Sydney?

Which England star missed an Ashes series after being run over by his own car?

Find out all of the above answers in this fully revised and updated edition of "The Ashes Miscellany". The book is packed with brilliant facts, stats, lists, quotes and anecdotes from one of the greatest sporting rivalries, this book comes in the form of a neat hardback and is the perfect appetiser for the up and coming 2009 Ashes series.

We Say: This book is a must for any ashes fan.

R.R.P £9.99
Our price: new £6.99 or used from £4.38

Rating: 4 out of 5

If you have a book that you wish to give an opinion or review on please send it in via the comments form.

Buy the above book here at the ashes 2009 amazon astore.

The Ashes and Controversy - Bodyline 1932-33

What makes the ashes cricket series so special? Exceptional bowling, spectacular fielding, majestic batting, fierce competitive rivalry between two proud nations, bad losers or controversy – the answer is probably that they have all played a vital and integral part in making the ashes what it is today.

I want to talk about Controversy in this article and in particular the infamous “Bodyline” series of 1932-33.

The tactics in question were reportedly conceived during a meeting at a London hotel by Douglas Jardine (captain of England during the series in question), Arthur Carr (the Nottinghamshire captain) and two of his fast bowlers Harold Larwood and Bill Voce to try and combat the mercurial talent of Don Bradman.

The tactics were referred to by different names in England and Australia. The English players, press and public referred to the tactic as “Fast Leg Theory” bowling whilst their Australian counterparts referred to the tactic by a far more damning name and that was “Bodyline”.

Because the term “Leg Theory” was being used by the England team and press out in Australia and was a common tactic amongst slow bowlers, the English Cricketing Authorities and public back home thought that the Australians were merely bad losers and making a mountain out of a molehill.

“Fast Leg Theory” or “Bodyline” involved bowling a short of length delivery aimed on leg stump that veered up at the batsman (either into the body or head height). A leg-side field of at least five catchers positioned in close proximity to the batsman would be set, meaning that the batsman would either have to take evasive action or fend the ball away with his bat (with the chance of offering an easy catch to one of the close fielders).

The concept behind the tactic was based on the belief that Bradman jolted to the leg side when faced with a short delivery; he was very rarely known to hook the ball. This was seen as a chink in the great mans armoury.

Six members of the English touring party privately opposed the tactic being employed, including Gubby Allen (the fourth fast bowler, who refused to bowl short on the leg side). Gubby Allen was also only critical of the tactic behind closed doors (to the public and press the squad portrayed a united front) but he also sent a number of letters home to England criticising Jardine.

The tactic was successful so far as England succeeded in regaining the ashes with a 4-1 victory. It also kept Bradman’s average down at 56.57 instead of his career average of 99.94. Bradman’s compatriots however, were far worse off with only one other Australian (Stan McCabe) scoring a century in the series.

Matters came to a head when a number of Australians including the Aussie captain Bill Woodfall were hit by the ball. The Australian crowd was incensed with the English tactics and a riot seemed likely.

With their players being placed at risk and a potential riot on their hands, the Australian Board of Control for Cricket sent an urgent cable to the MCC, it read:

Bodyline bowling has assumed such proportions as to menace the best interests of the game, making protection of the body by the batsman the main consideration. This is causing intensely bitter feeling between the players, as well as injury. In our opinion it is unsportsmanlike. Unless stopped at once it is likely to upset the friendly relations existing between Australia and England.

The above cable was sent after the third test and prior to the fourth test. Jardine and the MCC vehemently denied the above accusations of unsportsmanlike behavior, with Jardine insisting that it is up to the Australian batsmen to play themselves out of trouble.

The cable and bodyline tactic caused outrage in both Australia and England with the public of each nation showing anger towards the other. The matter was only settled when the Australian Prime Minister stepped in, pointing out to the Australian Board of Control for Cricket that there would be severe hardship ahead for the Australian public should Britain boycott Australian trade.

The board withdrew the allegation of unsportsmanlike behavior following the intervention by the Australian Prime Minister and England continued to employ the tactic for the remaining two tests. A premature end to the tour was therefore avoided with England winning the series 4-1.

After the 1932-33 series and a number of articles and books later the MCC amended the laws of cricket to prevent anything like it happening again. Umpires were given the power to intervene if they considered a batsman was being deliberately targeted by the bowler with the intention of causing the batsman harm.

Douglas Jardine himself had to face “Bodyline” bowling when the West Indies toured England in 1933 and used the tactic (to much less effect). Jardine didn’t flinch and scored 127 runs.

The author A.A Milne was one of many writers to pen an article on the “Bodyline” tactic; he was incensed by the tactics employed by England and wrote a letter to the Times. In it he stated:

“The game ceases to be cricket as soon as it can no longer be called a batsman's paradise”

There is nothing wrong with aggressive fast bowling, in fact it is exhilarating to watch the pacemen mark out their long run up and hurtle up to the crease with a degree of menace. The popularity and success of the West Indies are proof of that alone. It creates a buzz around the ground when you have Brett Lee or Shoaib Akhtar trying to reach 100 mph. However the line is crossed when the bowling becomes dangerous and the batsman is targeted; no one wants to see people getting hurt in the name of sporting victory.

Reference:

Wikipedia.org

Jones aims for Ashes Return

Simon Jones the reverse swinging England seamer who caused Australia all sorts of problems in the 2005 ashes series is on another comeback trail from yet another injury and subsequent operation. Jones has now set his sights on forcing himself into contention for the ashes series next summer but is also making sure that he takes this latest comeback one step at a time.

Jones told Setanta "I definitely feel like I am coming back, and was playing well last season."

"I have always had confidence in myself, it is something that has followed me through my career."

"I still have massive hopes to play for England and The Ashes are coming up next summer but my first goal is to get back on the field, get back into pre-season and be as fit as I possibly can because if I am not on the field then I am not in contention."

Jones was bowling very impressively for Worcestershire last season before the body broke down again; he took 42 wickets at an average of 18.02 in 2008 with best figures of 5-30 in the county championship. There was, in my opinion, a very strong case to include Jones in the disastrous Darren Pattinson test match against South Africa. It's hard to understand why Jones was over looked for that match, perhaps the selectors spoke to someone within Worcestershire and were told that Jones was not physically ready for a test return (which was obviously proven correct later in the season).

Of course a lot has changed within the England set up since Jones was last involved in 2005, there is a new coach Peter Moores to impress and of course Kevin Pietersen the new England captain since the departure of Michael Vaughan.

I wish Simon Jones all the best in his latest comeback quest; it is so frustrating for an athlete with such talent to be sidelined for long periods, plus we need his reverse swing back!

The Ashes History

The Ashes dates back to 1882 and is Cricket's (and one of sports) most celebrated rivalries. It consists of five 5 day test matches between Australia and England.

The series takes place every two years and the venue alternates between the two countries. If the series ends in a draw the country holding the ashes retains them.

The ashes series takes it's name from a front page story from "The Sporting Times". The front page was a satirical obituary to English cricket as written below:

In Affectionate Rememberance

of

ENGLISH CRICKET

WHICH DIED AT THE OVAL

on

29th August, 1882

Deeply lamented by a large circle of sorrowing

friends and acquaintances.

R.I.P

N.B.-The body will be cremated the

ashes taken to Australia.

The satirical obituary was in response to England's first loss to Australia on English soil. Little did they know that England would endure many more defeats at the hands of Australia (especially during the time that I got hooked on cricket, which was around 1986 the last time England won the ashes prior to the 2005 series; it is a wonder that I love the sport). After the above front page story the English media named the next England tour of Australia as the "quest to regain the ashes".

During the tour of Australia in 1883, a small urn was presented to the then England captain Ivo Bligh, by a group of women from Melbourne.

The contents of the urn are reportedly the remains of a piece of cricketing equipment such as a bail, ball or stump.

The urn is not, as some people believe the ashes trophy, it has never been formally adopted as the trophy and Mr Bligh always considered it to have been a personal gift that was presented to him.

Although replica's are often given to the winning side as a trophy the real urn has never been awarded and remains in the Marylebone Cricket Club Museum at Lords; it was given to the MCC by Ivo Bligh's widow after his death.

Australia down but not out for The Ashes?

There is an interesting article in today's Independent by John Townsend warning of the Australian teams depth; in it he states that Australia must recall Symonds now. Whilst I believe that Symonds is a world class all-round cricketer, I'm not sure he would bring enough to the bowling department to make that much of a difference in the area that Australia require it the most (namely spin). There is no doubt that Symonds will and should always feature on the current Australian team sheet but is he the saviour? I'm sure he will be back for the ashes!

Symonds is an excellent fielder and a dangerous batsmen (scoring runs at pace, which can always turn a game on it's head) but will his bowling tie up an end sufficiently? Don't forget in the past Australia didn't only tie up an end with spin or consistent bowling, they added huge amounts of pressure and quite often ripped through teams in the form of Warne. Australia have been blessed over the past few decades, having pairs of bowlers that can apply pressure and take wickets constantly during a test match with opposing batsmen getting very little rest bite. I was at Trent Bridge in 2005 on the Sunday when Warne almost bowled England out very cheaply; which would have put a completely different complexion on the ashes.

I personally wouldn't write Australia off for the Ashes yet; after all we are yet to see England out in India, we also need to wait and see how Australia bounce back for the third test (the Australia of old would come back at India and normally win). We shall have to see!

I must admit I loved the jibe about almost turning to Darren Pattinson; unfair on Darren but something that we all believe the England selectors deserved. That was a SHOCKER!!

The full article as it appears in the Independent is below:

Australia outfought in India but enough punch remains for Ashes
The Baggy Greens may appear to be sagging but England must be wary of their strength in depth

By John TownsendMonday, 27 October 2008

It says much about the state of Australian cricket that barely a year after the retirement of the greatest spinner in history, the nation is clamouring for an emergency call-up for a bowler who has spun out just a dozen batsmen at Test level.

Andrew Symonds is currently doing penance at state level for the heinous crime of going fishing rather than attending a team meeting on the eve of last month's instantly forgettable one-day series against Bangladesh. Given that players repeatedly complain that most team meetings consist of bowlers issuing prosaic reminders of the need to aim at the top of off and batsmen talking up the bleedin' obvious value of building partnerships, it is little surprise that Symonds preferred to hook a delicious barramundi rather than dissect, yet again, the minnows of world cricket.

No doubt there is more to the Symonds banishment, though the Australian public is yet to hear it. As English journalists at the Symonds press conference at the MCG during the last Ashes series would recall, a large store of anger seethes close to the surface of the all-rounder and he is often just one uncomfortable question, or extra beer, away from releasing it.
The refusal of Cricket Australia to consider selecting Symonds, referring to mysterious "medical and related issues", has polarised the country. Newspapers and talk radio have been filled to the hyperbolic brim with debate on the issue, with Tom Moody, the West Australian coach and recent Sri Lankan boss, speaking for many fans this week when he argued: "Australia must send an immediate SOS to Andrew Symonds if they want to pick their best team. India is the toughest place in world cricket to come from behind and when the Australian team is struggling for balance, form and cohesion, we simply can't afford to leave him out."

Symonds' absence is just one more complication for an Australian team facing the new age challenge of maintaining world-class standards without a host of world-class players. Shane Warne was best of class, Glenn McGrath arguably the same and Adam Gilchrist in a class of his own. There may be three new players standing under baggy green caps in their place but they cannot replace a trio whose standing and impact may not be matched for generations.

Underlining the difficulty of the search for replacements is the sobering fact that should another debutant – the seventh for the year – be included for either of the next two Tests, and that is highly likely given the magnitude of the 320-run loss at Mohali, Australia would not have tried more new players in a year than when World Series Cricket gutted playing stocks three decades ago.

Much like most Ashes series of recent times – except the 2005 anomaly, which has been scrubbed from Australian history books – there has been a sense of inevitability about the tour of India. But it has been from a position that England would find familiar: the hope of success tainted by a deep-seated sense that something is about to go badly wrong.

From the moment that the Australia selectors named a squad including an uncapped Jason Krejza (Jason who?), an uncapped 36-year-old, Bryce McGain, an uncapped Doug Bollinger, an uncapped Peter Siddle, a keeper with three Tests' experience, an injury-prone all-rounder who had not played for three years, a fast bowler going through an ugly marriage breakdown and a 36-year-old opener recuperating from a serious Achilles tendon injury, the country knew we were up against it. Crikey, things were so crook we nearly turned to Darren Pattinson.

Sure, Ricky Ponting is the best batsman in the world and Mike Hussey not far behind him; the pace attack is varied and versatile and Australia's fighting spirit and indomitable aura are worth an extra player. But as Moody pointed out, India on their own dung heap are a different proposition to the team that has traditionally toured as well as Guinness.

Ponting is realistic enough to recognise his remade team have to gel quickly, with the Border-Gavaskar and Ashes challenges looming. "We have got enough talent around Australia to maintain our No 1 ranking in Test cricket," Ponting said earlier this year. "I don't know how far we are in front but you would think, given what we have done for a fair period of time, that we would be a fair way in front. But how we adapt will determine how good a team we are."

Ponting was satisfied with the effort in the first Test when Australia had the better of the contest but was reluctant to risk an early declaration in a bid for victory. He remains a conservative captain but an inspirational one who has recovered from adversity before.

Australia are represented by a team who play hard, end careers and gather trophies. Record junior playing numbers attest to the positive impact the Baggy Greens have had on the nation's youth. We are going through a tough trot but don't rule out one or two of those youths having arrived by the time Steve Harmison threatens second slip with the first ball of the 2009 Ashes series.

The Ashes 2009 are All That Matters, KP

Stephen Brenkley has written the following article in today's Independent:

Ashes are all that matter, not T20 distraction
Stanford can have its 20 minutes of fame but Pietersen knows clash with the old enemy is No 1 priority

It may come as a surprise to Kevin Pietersen that some things are simply impossible. Neither the word nor the concept is familiar to him. But he was being quite ridiculous when he said last week, looking forward to England's winter: "Playing Australia is hard but I want to steer away from Ashes, Ashes, Ashes. It's very important what's happening in the next couple of months."
He might have tried whistling in the wind to be certain of being heard more clearly. All roads this winter lead to the 2009 Ashes for England. For Pietersen, the new captain, it is both a curse and a blessing.

Whatever England do and wherever they go in the next eight months, they will be scrutinised in the context of next summer's renewal of the oldest cricketing rivalry. In microcosm, that will apply to Pietersen more than anybody else.

The exception to this may, just, be the events of the next few days and in particular the match taking place in Antigua next Saturday: Stanford Superstars v England, worth $1m (£609,190) to each member of the winning team and $20m in all – the so-called Twenty20 for Twenty. This match has no relevance to the Ashes or anything else. It is a one-off and Pietersen, while doing his employers' bidding, is clearly discomfited by it and what surrounds it.

He made a spirited defence of Test cricket to a gathering of reporters, all of whom were weaned on Test cricket and consider it to be akin to mother's milk, and it was clear from everything he said that the matches which will truly exercise him in the next year are all played over five days: two against India, four against West Indies, two against whomever can be persuaded to play England next May and then the little matter of the quintet against Australia.

But Pietersen is painfully aware that the landscape is changing, and was unruffled by the suggestion that its time may be up. "From my point of view, Test cricket is the big stuff," he said. "I know that my kids or even 10-year-olds right now might just be thinking that they just want to play Twenty20. It is worrying, but that might be the future. Look at televisions, they are high definition now, not black and white with fuzzy screens. That's just the natural progression."

But Twenty20 has changed the way players operate. For instance, as Pietersen pointed out, England will play a Middlesex side tomorrow containing the Warwickshire all-rounder Neil Carter, who is on loan for the county's T20 assignments this winter. "Since the Indian Premier League came in, people are franchising themselves, like Carter, playing against us, which is a disgrace really."

Despite his passion and his nous, it had not seemed to occur to Pietersen that Tests might also be in trouble because nobody is watching them. "The fortunate thing for England is that we play in front of capacity crowds all the time. You want to challenge yourself and part of that is playing to full houses, and we do that here. Hopefully in the Ashes next year we can captivate a huge audience. Of the 40-odd Tests, I don't think I've played in any as close as the five against Australia in 2005.

"The tickets have sold for it quicker than for a Robbie Williams concert. The Ashes is something special, I really don't think we'll have to worry here. I haven't spoken to many people about Test crowds elsewhere but I will after this."

See how hard it was to avoid talking about the Ashes. He might understand the folly of doing so because there are indeed more imminent contests, but he could not help himself when asked. Pietersen is still in his honeymoon period as the official England captain, a period extended by his remarkable start in the job – played five, won five.

This might also apply to his relations with his bosses at the England and Wales Cricket Board. As long as Pietersen keeps winning he can more or less call the shots, even if they are as outrageous as the ones he plays.

The IPL clearly still appeals, and it seems that negotiations are advanced for him to play there next year. Theoretically, this could mean him missing two Test matches which are not yet set in stone but which the ECB seem determined to play. But Pietersen was not being completely disingenuous by pointing out that England players needed T20 experience before next year's T20 World Championship.

It is, as usual, some winter ahead for England and some summer after that. The sooner the Antiguan distraction is done the better for all concerned. And then, as Pietersen must know deep down, all the signs thereafter – whether they be from Ahmedabad in December, or Port of Spain in March – point only one way.

My View

I know that there is a huge buzz around the Stanford game; but it will be over in the blinking of an eye. I truly hope that England will go into that game against the Stanford Superstars and clean up (this is mainly due to the fact that I hope England wins every match they play in), it would be a great windfall for all of the players and their family's, it will also continue to build confidence!

The winter tour of India is going to be an enormous test for all of the England players; it is a very tough place to go and win (as Australia are proving at present). The players state of mind and the team we go into the Ashes series with will very much be decided during the winter tour of India. Confidence is key; for me that was the integral role Kevin Pietersen played during the 2005 Ashes series. The team was laying down and losing to the Australians as usual during the first test at Lords, until KP came out and played two confident knocks taking the game to Australia. After that innings the whole of the England teams attitude notably changed; it was the start of what was to unravel in the next four test matches!!

KP - Aussies are in Decline

Sky sports has reported in an interview with England captain Kevin Pietersen that he feels Australia are in Decline.

The Kevin Pietersen article as reported by Sky sports is written below:

Aussies are in decline
Retirements have weakened Ponting's men, says England skipper.

England captain Kevin Pietersen says Australia will be taking a "backward step" if they recall Shane Warne for next year's Ashes.

Australia's spin cupboard is empty following the retirement of Warne and fellow wrist spinners Stuart MacGill and Brad Hogg in the last 18 months.

Leg-spinning all-rounder Cameron White has been unsuccessful in filling the void during the first two Tests of their current tour of India.

Warne, who took 708 wickets in 145 Tests, has previously stated he would consider an Ashes comeback if asked by Australia captain Ricky Ponting.

"I've already had a text from him saying he might play in it next year," said Pietersen, who played with Warne at Hampshire.

"If he does I think it will be a real backwards step for Australia. If they did decide to pull somebody out it would show how much it did mean to Australia, certainly.

"There is still a long way to go before we play them and there is room for improvement - but they certainly aren't the team they were when we played against them last year. Definitely not.

Hammered

"They took Test cricket to a new level with the side that they had and absolutely hammered us. They really hurt us.

"But the side that is playing for Australia now is certainly not the one we played against two years ago.

"They don't have Glenn McGrath they don't have Adam Gilchrist they are missing some pretty dangerous players. They are missing Justin Langer at the top of the order."

Warne claimed 40 wickets during the 2005 Ashes series but Pietersen insists England would not be fazed if he was to pull on the Baggy Green again.

"To be honest it really doesn't matter if he plays or not. I don't have a problem with it and our guys play Shane pretty well. I enjoy facing Shane," added Pietersen.

Pietersen is currently in Antigua with England's limited-overs squad preparing for the Stanford Super Series.

England then travel to India and the West Indies before the 2009 Ashes summer gets under way.

Pietersen wants to tackle Australia on the back of successive series victories, as they did in 2005.

"We have a very important next few months," he said.

My View:

In my humble opinion; KP is probably right, although I wouldn't want to rile the Aussies too much. It's impossible for a team to lose some of the greatest players of the modern cricketing era and not take a step backwards; Warne, McGrath and Gilchrist are unquestionably modern greats with Langer, Hog and MacGill all top drawer players that can have a significant impact on the result of a match. Australia have got quality players to replace the before mentioned players but it will take time for them to fully establish themselves in the test arena and as stated in the Sky sports article Australia are currently lacking in the spin department.

Although I concur with KP's opinion I can't help but think that if Warne were to decide to come back for Australia during the Ashes in 2009 that he would play a significant role. I'm sure if Warne was to make a return he wouldn't comeback half cooked and would make sure that he would be bowling well!

As an Englishman I would rather not see him return; as a cricket fan it would be great to see him bowl again (if he could find some of the old form as he was a magnificent bowler).

The Ashes Can Be Ours says Harmison

Rejuvenated England paceman Steve Harmison says he is concentrating on the 2009 Ashes series despite the huge amount of money on offer in the Stanford 20/20 (the winner-takes-all match on November 1 against the Stanford Superstars). The $1 million per man on offer for the winner of the Stanford match is the biggest individual team prize in the history of sport!

"This is going to be an exciting and intense 12 months of cricket and I cannot wait. People will go on about the Stanford series and the money that is on offer, but every single Englishman knows the Ashes series against Australia is the one to really win," said the Durham and England fast bowler. "The money on offer for the Stanford tournament is a lot, but you've got to win it first. We are going out there to represent our country, just as we will do in India and the West Indies this winter."

Harmison defended himself from critics who said he returned to England's limited-overs side for the Stanford millions. "I think we will get a certain amount of stick about playing in the Stanford games, but it was the ECB who organised it, not the players," he said. "We'll get stick if we win and we'll get stick if we lose. I even offered not to play because I knew people would say I've only started playing one-day cricket again for England because of the money, but that wasn't the case."

As far as I'm concerned, if Harmison delivers and performs as he did in the final test and one day matches against South Africa then he should play, if on the other hand he returns to the Steve Harmison that had been playing for the past two years (which led to his eventual overdue dropping from the team) then he should be dropped immediately as England had to carry him the last time.

Harmison said winning the Ashes next year was a "realistic goal". England won the memorable last contest on these shores, in 2005, but were demolished 5-0 in Australia in 2006-07. "I do feel I've got a bit of a score to settle. I know what it's like to win the Ashes and I know what it is like to lose the Ashes 5-0. It's the same for Andrew Flintoff, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood and Andrew Strauss."

"I think it can happen, I really do, but we've got a hell of a lot of cricket to play between now and then. I think we've got ten different series in the next 12 months and I'd like to play in and win them all."

Harmison forced his way back into the England fold after being dropped with a very impressive county season for Durham; he finished with 60 wickets in 12 games and Durham won their first Championship title. Harmison was recalled for the final Test against South Africa at The Oval, under new captain Kevin Pietersen (who obviously has great belief in the bowler and thinks of him in very high regard), and was later persuaded to return to the international limited-overs version of the game.

"It is a season which began with me at my lowest ebb, but it is one I will look back on with an enormous sense of satisfaction," Harmison said. "I've achieved my own personal goal of getting back into the England team and Durham have won the title, I couldn't have asked for much more. This has been a fantastic season for me, unbelievable really. We had our disappointments at Durham, losing in two semi-finals, but we kept on going."