Ashes fever grips England (and Wales)
By Philip Oliver
The controversy here in England surrounding the choice of venue for the first Ashes Test of the series will be forgotten when the match begins. This year’s battle between England and Australia has been eagerly anticipated and few will care about the venue if England are victorious.
Australia’s excellent record at Lord’s – just five defeats there in 33 Tests against England – prompted the decision to open the series elsewhere, with the England Cricket Board acutely aware of the importance of the first match in Ashes series.
The decision to kick-off the series at Cardiff will be vindicated if, as expected, the pitch takes turn. England are hardly known for their prowess against the turning ball but it is they who are superior in the spin department.
Graeme Swann has taken 34 wickets from his seven Test appearances, whilst Australia do not appear to trust their specialist spinner Nathan Hauritz enough to play him even in favourable conditions. It is an amazing state of affairs considering the role spin (or rather Shane Warne) has played in establishing Australia’s recent Ashes superiority.
That dominance was broken in 2005, in what is remembered as the ‘greatest series’ in England (we try not to recall the 5-0 whitewash in 2006/07). It is unlikely to be matched for quality or drama, but there could be similar levels of tension.
The teams are well-matched and the destination of the famous urn is unlikely to be decided by the time the teams arrive at Headingley for the fourth Test. It is England’s ‘result’ ground – only two of the last 25 Leeds Tests have been drawn. England have won three of their last four Tests at the venue, although they lost to South Africa by 10 wickets last July.
Spin is unlikely to dominate at Headingley – Shane Warne took three wickets in his three Tests there – and conventional swing could hold the key. England feel they have the upper hand in this area.
Mitchell Johnson is perhaps the world’s best paceman, but in the in-form James Anderson England have the bowler most likely to swing the ball. The potential loss of Brett Lee for the entire series further tips the bowling balance in England’s favour.
English optimism is steadily increasing, as the realisation that the current Australian team is fallible develops. English and Welsh eyes will be on Cardiff to see if that confidence is merited as the series finally begins.
Before it all gets going, check out the 2009 Ashes odds (http://betting.betfair.com/cricket/2009-ashes/ashes-betting-ready-to-burn-for-the-first-test-060709.html) and think about placing a Sophia Gardens Test bet (http://betting.betfair.com/cricket/2009-ashes/). If you need to get in the betting mood, check out Betfair’s new fan v fan (http://www.fanvfan.com/) site.
One Response to “Ashes fever grips England (and Wales)”
well i just want a close series!!
i would put my money on england with a 2-1 victory..i am sure they will play to their swing-spin strength..headingley and cardiff seem to be their best bets!!
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