Ashes 2015

[Aussie Bee]

The dates and venues have been confirmed...

1st Test: Sophia Gardens, 8-12 July 2015 (Cardiff)
2nd Test: Lords, 16-20 July 2015 (London)
3rd Test: Edgbaston, 29 July-2 August 2015 (Birmingham)
4th Test: Trent Bridge, 6-10 August 2015 (Nottingham)
5th Test: The Oval, 20-24 August 2015 (London)

 

[TW3Bee]

Hardly seems fair that London has two Tests but nothing north of Nottingham.

 

[super J]

Hardly seems fair that London has two Tests but nothing north of Nottingham.

Durham and Old Trafford had Ashes tests last year.

Lords and the Oval bring the ECB the most revenue so it is always going to happen.

 

[Buzzettesfriend]

Australia showed last night how to ruthlessly kill off a West Indies team that we have just drawn a series with. A long summer ahead for fans of English cricket I think.

 

[kevalutonbee]

If I remember rightly now there are more grounds that are up to test standard they effectively have to bid to host a test and in some years some grounds just don't bother.

On the subject of the matches I too think it will be a long summer. We have the components to be a good team but invariably one or more components fail in the same game.

 

[TW3Bee]

Factoring in a bit of rain I predict a 4-1 or 3-0 defeat.

 

[Isleworth_Bee]

Would love a ticket for this. On a side note we are either way to inconsistent with the bat or way to inconsistent with the ball.................... Either way we are consistently inconsistent i have faith lol

 

[LostBee]

Maybe I am completely delusional,but I think it is going to be a really close series!

2-1 either way for me.

 

[up the bees]

Got tickets for the oval last day fingers crossed I get to see a day if the ashes cricket

 

[Lionel Bart-At]

Lord's, day 3 for me!!

 

[super J]

Lords and Cardiff Day 1

 

[opinions5u]

I've got an Old Trafford ODI in September.

Doubtless it will be the usual rain affected game at that time of year.

 

[mhead bee]

Lords and the Oval bring the ECB the most revenue so it is always going to happen.

I bought some tickets for day 3 at Edgbaston, 123 quid for an adult and a child...I think that is really expensive for one of the cheapest tickets. The two London venues were going to cost over 300 quid each, I searched all the websites and ticketmaster were adding a £100 per ticket booking fee on top of that.

 

[mhead bee]

Maybe I am completely delusional,but I think it is going to be a really close series!

2-1 either way for me.

Well, it won't be 5.0 because it rains too much.

 

[super J]

I bought some tickets for day 3 at Edgbaston, 123 quid for an adult and a child...I think that is really expensive for one of the cheapest tickets. The two London venues were going to cost over 300 quid each, I searched all the websites and ticketmaster were adding a £100 per ticket booking fee on top of that.

My Cardiff ticket was £60 which isn't bad. But I agree ticket prices in general are too high. With the money the ECB receive from Sky I don't think £100 a ticket can be justified.

 

[Mark H]

I think we will win a test once the Ashes are lost so 3-1 for me. Australia will shortly become number 1 in the world as South Africa are on the slide.

 

[whyteleafebee76]

This series feels really hard to call, if we play like we did at Headingley last week we will lose 3-0 or 4-0, if we play at our best, hold our catches, play aggressively etc then it will be much closer. Even if we lose I am confident we won't see years of Aussie dominance like the late 80s and 90s as they have a pretty old team with Rogers, Voges, Clarke, Johnson, Harris, Haddin, Watson all at the back end of their career, I'd be surprised if any of them tour England again after this summer.

 

[mhead bee]

My Cardiff ticket was £60 which isn't bad. But I agree ticket prices in general are too high. With the money the ECB receive from Sky I don't think £100 a ticket can be justified.

To be fair I just bought a ticket for day 5 at lords for 35 quid...probably a gamble but can't complain at that price if I see some cricket.

 

[Mark H]

I bought some tickets for day 3 at Edgbaston, 123 quid for an adult and a child...I think that is really expensive for one of the cheapest tickets. The two London venues were going to cost over 300 quid each, I searched all the websites and ticketmaster were adding a £100 per ticket booking fee on top of that.

The world has change so much since I queued up outside The Oval to watch the West Indies take England apart in the 80's. I think I ended up paying £6 on the gate.

 

[Holysmit]

My Cardiff ticket was £60 which isn't bad. But I agree ticket prices in general are too high. With the money the ECB receive from Sky I don't think £100 a ticket can be justified.

Whilst I agree as long as the games are selling out thats all the justification the ECB needs.

 

[Indian Bee]

I think we will win a test once the Ashes are lost so 3-1 for me. Australia will shortly become number 1 in the world as South Africa are on the slide.

Maybe that will happen but I don't think the Aussies are a great side. Their batting is very fragile and IMO only Warner, Clarke and Smith are class acts. Watson is an LBW candidate from ball 1.

Bowling wise they are good but the Indians over the winter proved you can score big against them. Think there was something like 8 centuries scored over the 4 test series. England needs to put runs on the board and you never know pressure will build.

 

[Nada Bee]

You're all so pessimistic. We are gonna win back the Ashes!!!! roots ashes!

 

[super J]

Maybe that will happen but I don't think the Aussies are a great side. Their batting is very fragile and IMO only Warner, Clarke and Smith are class acts. Watson is an LBW candidate from ball 1.

Bowling wise they are good but the Indians over the winter proved you can score big against them. Think there was something like 8 centuries scored over the 4 test series. England needs to put runs on the board and you never know pressure will build.

I agree and although I think Australia are a better side than us, in English conditions the gap is a lot closer. The real difference for me is the Aussies have more match winners who can win a game with a spell of bowling or an innings. I think at the moment England have to have a number of their players all playing well to win a test. My main doubts are how we are going to take 20 wickets, particularly without a decent spinner to tie up an end meaning Broad and Anderson are going to have to bowl more overs than they should.

 

[Salford Bee]

Sorry, but this series should not be held until 2017.

 

[Holysmit]

Sorry, but this series should not be held until 2017.

If you feel that strongly about it, dont wattch it then!

 

[kevalutonbee]

Sorry, but this series should not be held until 2017.

Watch the highlights on Ch5 +1 and you shouldn't be far out

 

[Salford Bee]

Watch the highlights on Ch5 +1 and you shouldn't be far out

We had the last of 10 Ashes tests just under 18 months ago. I'd rather see South Africa this summer or more games with New Zealand.

 

[stedders]

England have announced a 14 man training squad:

Alastair Cook (Essex); Moeen Ali (Worcestershire); James Anderson (Lancashire); Gary Ballance (Yorkshire); Ian Bell (Warwickshire); Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire); Jos Buttler (Lancashire); Steven Finn (Middlesex); Mark Footitt (Derbyshire); Adam Lyth (Yorkshire); Liam Plunkett (Yorkshire); Joe Root (Yorkshire); Ben Stokes (Durham); Mark Wood (Durham).

I suppose the main surprises would be the inclusion of Mark Footitt and the exclusion (or non-inclusion at this stage anyway) of Adil Rashid

 

[Les Beeavinu]

Steve Smith gets 100 against Kent. The improvement by the bloke in the last couple of years has been pretty remarkable.

 

[Holysmit]

Steve Smith gets 100 against Kent. The improvement by the bloke in the last couple of years has been pretty remarkable.

Thanks

 

[super J]

Steve Smith gets 100 against Kent. The improvement by the bloke in the last couple of years has been pretty remarkable.

This series will probably decide whether he really is that good or just flash in the pan. Interesting comments by Graeme Swann about him being a good player of spin and excellent against the short ball but reckons he may struggle against the new ball if we get him in early.

 

[whyteleafebee76]

Kent doing ok against the Aussies, haven't been completely rolled over despite Harris, Siddle and Johnson playing. Pretty sure the West Indies didn't last 75+ overs at any point in their recent series against the Aussies.

 

[Aussie Bee]

smith is class - no flash in the pan - he will be capt for the next ten years after Clarke

 

[Holysmit]

This series will probably decide whether he really is that good or just flash in the pan. Interesting comments by Graeme Swann about him being a good player of spin and excellent against the short ball but reckons he may struggle against the new ball if we get him in early.

Think thats a bit harsh even if he has a poor series he will come back. Hes not a flash in the pan.

 

[Indian Bee]

This series will probably decide whether he really is that good or just flash in the pan. Interesting comments by Graeme Swann about him being a good player of spin and excellent against the short ball but reckons he may struggle against the new ball if we get him in early.

one could say that about Root but for what's it worth IMO Smith and Root are in the top 5 current best batsmen in world cricket. Both their forms in the last year has been exceptional.

 

[thanetbee]

Went to Canterbury yesterday to see Kent v the Australians.
Never been to a non test tour match so was not sure what to expect.
Full house for first 3 days and generally the mix between blokes enjoying a drink up in the sun and serious cricket buffs. Quite a few Aussies supporting their team.
The cricket was good. Saw Smith get his ton and then the real action. Seeing Johnson run in and bowl at our local Kent team was quite a sight and I did feel a bit of anxiety for their well being! There was a tangible quite when Johnson started bowling. He has a good action now and bowled at a hell of a pace. One of the good things seeing him at Canterbury is I was able to get behind the bowler which invariably is not the case when I go to a test match.
Most there were amazed his place is under threat - he looks the real deal. Also he made a good effort to endear himself to the crowd with some nice banter and always willing to sign a bat etc.
Looking forward to seeing the real deal at the Oval in August.

 

[thanetbee]

smith is class - no flash in the pan - he will be capt for the next ten years after Clarke

indeed and he actually played for Kent second x1 when he was 17 - could have stayed in England as eligible for both.

 

[Lionel Bart-At]

Just listened to 'Flintoff and Vaughan's 2005 Ashes Roadshow' on BBC Radio 5 iplayer. Absolutely brilliant two hours of insight and humour, with contributions to cover all angles, including Gary Pratt, Jason Gillespie, Steve Harmison and Jonathan Agnew. If you've not heard it yet, you must do so immediately!! Only thing is, rather than whet your appetite for the forthcoming series, you're kind of left thinking that nothing could ever top 2005.

 

[super J]

Think thats a bit harsh even if he has a poor series he will come back. Hes not a flash in the pan.

I'm not doubting he's a quality player but his form this year is out of this world my question is whether he can keep it up. He's number one in the world but he's a long way off the likes of Sangakarra and De Villiers at the moment.

As for Johnson, i'm not sure his place has ever been doubt. I think the only question is Harris or Hazlewood. Very much doubt Harris' body will last 5 tests given he's not played for Australia for over a year.

 

[Salford Bee]

Just listened to 'Flintoff and Vaughan's 2005 Ashes Roadshow' on BBC Radio 5 iplayer. Absolutely brilliant two hours of insight and humour, with contributions to cover all angles, including Gary Pratt, Jason Gillespie, Steve Harmison and Jonathan Agnew. If you've not heard it yet, you must do so immediately!! Only thing is, rather than whet your appetite for the forthcoming series, you're kind of left thinking that nothing could ever top 2005.

2005 was a truly fantastic series though. Nothing has topped that since. Only win down under comes slightly close for me.
Jones, Bowden, Kasprowicz the man to go. Many a celebration as the win at Edgbaston was secured.
Swing works the Oracle again. Clarke has his furniture rearranged shouldering arms to Simon Jones at the true home of northern cricket.
Hoggard cover drive at Trent Bridge.
The 158 the ECB have (probably) airbrushed out of history.

 

[Lionel Bart-At]

2005 was a truly fantastic series though. Nothing has topped that since. Only win down under comes slightly close for me.
Jones, Bowden, Kasprowicz the man to go. Many a celebration as the win at Edgbaston was secured.
Swing works the Oracle again. Clarke has his furniture rearranged shouldering arms to Simon Jones at the true home of northern cricket.
Hoggard cover drive at Trent Bridge.
The 158 the ECB have (probably) airbrushed out of history.

 

[stefobee]

Squads out.

What do you think?

England squad to face Australia in first Test: Alastair Cook (Essex), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), James Anderson (Lancashire), Gary Ballance (Yorkshire), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Steven Finn (Middlesex), Adam Lyth (Yorkshire), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Ben Stokes (Durham), Mark Wood (Durham).

 

[The Pipe]

Think Bell is lucky based on present form

 

[B2B]

Think Bell is picked based on past form

Changed it for you....

 

[super J]

I'm warming to the idea of two spinners but think that'd be harsh on whoever misses out, probably Ballance.

Seem to recall in 2009 the 1st test was also at Cardiff and we played both Swann and Panesar and Aussies smashed 600!

 

[Buzzettesfriend]

It's exactly the squad that I and most would have predicted. Rashid will miss out. I think this series is going to be a lot closer than lots of people think.

 

[Lionel Bart-At]

Squads out.

What do you think?

England squad to face Australia in first Test: Alastair Cook (Essex), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), James Anderson (Lancashire), Gary Ballance (Yorkshire), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Steven Finn (Middlesex), Adam Lyth (Yorkshire), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Ben Stokes (Durham), Mark Wood (Durham).

Insufficient representation of the County Champions IMO.

 

[stedders]

As others have said, pretty much the squad most would have predicted: assuming Finn will miss out and then it is down to the two spinners question. My money would be on just the one, with Rashid missing out.

I suppose the other question would be should Ballance drop down the order to four or five, with Bell moving up to three.

 

[super J]

As others have said, pretty much the squad most would have predicted: assuming Finn will miss out and then it is down to the two spinners question. My money would be on just the one, with Rashid missing out.

I suppose the other question would be should Ballance drop down the order to four or five, with Bell moving up to three.

Or as has been suggested, Ballance misses out, everyone moves up the order and Rashid comes in at 8 and we play two spinners. Unlikely but I wouldn't rule it out.

 

[super J]

Esssx currently 173-1

Lyon 0-54 off 5 overs!!