The Ashes
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I think Pom commentators are describing it as the worst Ashes squad to leave England means that Aussie are doomed.
Last England side to be described thus were Gattings tourists (30 years ago) and they carved up everything.
BBC has a good feature on last times disaster
http://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/41859201
I'm with you @Horroo one of the great sporting events. Went to Boxing Day at Gee four years ago
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Stokes will turn up by test 3.
Do some googling boys. Stokes actually isn't that great. The word 'all rounder' gets thrown around and everyone assumes Sobers/Kallis/Imran/Beefy/Miller etc. Old fanta pants isn't even as good as Andrew Flintoff yet.
Nice fucken right cross though.
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You have two batsman and two bowlers legitimately in the discussion for all time England XI - and this is the worst side of all time? OK. Just on muscle memory alone, with quality coaching and squad harmony they will be able to hang better than past squads - specifically thinking 2007.
Nothing will be worse than the 1997 squad though, particularly the bowling - when Mullally is your #2 strike bowler you are really battling.
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@majorrage said in The Ashes:
In a lot of ways, Botham wasn't that great either.
BUT ... his presence lifted the team. Stokes has similar attributes.
Botham was pretty much an untouchable legend for his first 50 odd tests then pretty ordinary for the next 50 odd. Overall I don't think anyone would deny he's a cricketing great though.
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I'm torn on the Stokes issue.
He's a bloody good player, and I think he's perfectly suited to Australian conditions. From memory he was the only England player to score a century in the last Aussie Ashes series, even though he was very green.
That's why I'd be glad if he stayed home.
However, can you imagine the reception if he plays? God it will just be carnage. And while I sometimes distance myself from the more rabidly jingoistic members of my nation, on this topic I will be joining them in full voice. The Ashes thrives on grubs like Stokes and Warner, and for that reason I say... LET BEN PLAAAAYYY.
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The ashes have been disappointing for a number of series now. More hype than substance currently.
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@baron-silas-greenback said in The Ashes:
The ashes have been disappointing for a number of series now. More hype than substance currently.
A bit like State of O since....forever
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The 3rd best team is playing the 5th best team and it will be hyped to within an inch of its life like it is 1 playing 2, bewilders me how non English or Aussies can get excited about it. It isn't like there is really much intense dislike or rivalry between the teams nowadays.
I find Aus vs India far more entertaining in that regard. -
Aussie team named today.
Paine being touted as keeper by News Ltd.
Good. Never liked Wade. Haddin-lite.
New opener in place of Renshaw and S Marsh to 6 (just for @NTA )
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@baron-silas-greenback said in The Ashes:
The 3rd best team is playing the 5th best team and it will be hyped to within an inch of its life like it is 1 playing 2, bewilders me how non English or Aussies can get excited about it. It isn't like there is really much intense dislike or rivalry between the teams nowadays.
I find Aus vs India far more entertaining in that regard.You need to stop drinking, your glass is half empty.
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Aussie Confirmed
Australia Test squad
Steven Smith (capt), David Warner (vice-capt), Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird, Chadd Sayers.
I can't wait til Bird bowls to Root
