[cricket] why england will retain the ashes [or not]
2. A fit squad. Six players returning from injury: Andrew Flintoff (ankle), Steve Harmison (back), Ashley Giles (hip), Liam Plunkett (side), James Anderson (back), and Marcus Trescothick, returning from a period sidelined by stress and the biggest worry, having shown a tendency to fade on long tours. Simon Jones’ reverse-swing will be missed.
3. The captain. Michael Vaughan - tactically astute, psychologically sophisticated, urbane, charming, highly driven, and a master at getting under his opposite number’s skin. Is Andrew Flintoff in the same league?
4. Andrew Flintoff as a player. Plus as captain and superstar allrounder?
5. Troy Cooley. The ECB neglected to renew his contract and put in the unproven Kevin Shine, a man sacked by his county.
6. Momentum. Having lost to Pakistan 2-0 away, they drew the series away with India and at home to Sri Lanka, before beating an injury-hit Pakistan side 3-0 (with one forfeit).
7. Australia have won 11 out of 12 tests, and batsmen like Ricky Ponting and Mattew Hayden have returned to their most devastating form.
Some reasons for optimism:
1. Monty Panesar. Australia are worried about him.
2. James Anderson. Out all season through injury and could return as the fourth-seamer.
3. Ian Bell. He’s worked hard on his demeanour and plan of attack. He has the class to impose his game on Australia this time.
4. Australian paranoia. boot camps, earnest meetings with groundsmen and the Australian propaganda machine.
5. Australia’s ageing side. Last time, McGrath got injured and so many of the team are well past 30 that injuries are a distinct possibility this time as well.
6. England hold the Ashes. They only need to draw the Ashes to retain them.
Ashes squad: Andrew Flintoff (capt), James Anderson, Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood, Alastair Cook, Ashley Giles, Steve Harmison, Matthew Hoggard, Geraint Jones, Sajid Mahmood, Monty Panesar, Kevin Pietersen, Liam Plunkett, Chris Read, Andrew Strauss, Marcus Trescothick.
Champions Trophy squad: Andrew Flintoff (capt), James Anderson, Ian Bell, Rikki Clarke, Paul Collingwood, James Dalrymple, Steve Harmison, Ed Joyce, Sajid Mahmood, Jon Lewis, Kevin Pietersen, Chris Read, Andrew Strauss, Michael Yardy.
Academy squad: Ravi Bopara, Stuart Broad, Rikki Clarke, James Dalrymple, Steven Davies, Ed Joyce, Robert Key, Jon Lewis, Graham Onions, Matt Prior, Owais Shah, Tom Smith, Chris Tremlett, Michael Yardy.
http://cricket.five.tv/matchcoverage/
3. The captain. Michael Vaughan - tactically astute, psychologically sophisticated, urbane, charming, highly driven, and a master at getting under his opposite number’s skin. Is Andrew Flintoff in the same league?
4. Andrew Flintoff as a player. Plus as captain and superstar allrounder?
5. Troy Cooley. The ECB neglected to renew his contract and put in the unproven Kevin Shine, a man sacked by his county.
6. Momentum. Having lost to Pakistan 2-0 away, they drew the series away with India and at home to Sri Lanka, before beating an injury-hit Pakistan side 3-0 (with one forfeit).
7. Australia have won 11 out of 12 tests, and batsmen like Ricky Ponting and Mattew Hayden have returned to their most devastating form.
Some reasons for optimism:
1. Monty Panesar. Australia are worried about him.
2. James Anderson. Out all season through injury and could return as the fourth-seamer.
3. Ian Bell. He’s worked hard on his demeanour and plan of attack. He has the class to impose his game on Australia this time.
4. Australian paranoia. boot camps, earnest meetings with groundsmen and the Australian propaganda machine.
5. Australia’s ageing side. Last time, McGrath got injured and so many of the team are well past 30 that injuries are a distinct possibility this time as well.
6. England hold the Ashes. They only need to draw the Ashes to retain them.
Ashes squad: Andrew Flintoff (capt), James Anderson, Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood, Alastair Cook, Ashley Giles, Steve Harmison, Matthew Hoggard, Geraint Jones, Sajid Mahmood, Monty Panesar, Kevin Pietersen, Liam Plunkett, Chris Read, Andrew Strauss, Marcus Trescothick.
Champions Trophy squad: Andrew Flintoff (capt), James Anderson, Ian Bell, Rikki Clarke, Paul Collingwood, James Dalrymple, Steve Harmison, Ed Joyce, Sajid Mahmood, Jon Lewis, Kevin Pietersen, Chris Read, Andrew Strauss, Michael Yardy.
Academy squad: Ravi Bopara, Stuart Broad, Rikki Clarke, James Dalrymple, Steven Davies, Ed Joyce, Robert Key, Jon Lewis, Graham Onions, Matt Prior, Owais Shah, Tom Smith, Chris Tremlett, Michael Yardy.
http://cricket.five.tv/matchcoverage/
posted by James Higham @ 16:42
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