Sports - Cricket - Ashes
With just over an hour to go, I do not have a clue what to expect!
So much has happened and changed since both England's victory in 2005 and Australia's thrashing 2006/2007.
As my cricket blogs over the past months have reflected and shown:
One week I feel more confident and optimistic with England and think, you never know, they may grab it, just like in 2005. With Andrew Flintoff fit and back, James Anderson on fire, wicketkeeper Matt Prior impressing, and batsmen Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook, Ravi Bopara and Paul Collingwood gaining more runs and confidence, the side looks competitive and promising and the excitement and expectancy rise high.
But then, the next week, they fall to bits again, hitting themselves out for a small total and not being able to defend it. Then they look doomed to fail miserably just like in 2006/2007. It has often been said, too much pressure is put on Kevin Pietersen to carry an innings and all the runs on his own. But he has not enjoyed is best and highest average of runs at all lately either.
That brings back the issue of captaincy I blogged about before, too. Since Michael Vaughan's reign and glory of 2005, a lot has changed and happened. The clash and fallout between Kevin Pietersen and Peter Moores did not help matters whatsoever. Andrew Strauss was then the harmonious pick, which has been both lauded and criticised.
Then the eyes fall onto Australia. The side has changed much more since the last contests and is hardly recognizable. They are without their retired bowling legends Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath, batsmen Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden and high-scoring wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist. Brett Lee and Shane Watson are out, too, for the first test match at least, due to injury. The Aussies will have to rely on some inexperienced but promising looking newcomers.
One thing is for sure, both sides are not to be underestimated. So, one way or the other, I think we are going to be in for a big surprise. I dare not predict anything! I have to rush to the telly now, to catch the kick-off to the Ashes. I am going to keep a little Ashes Diary over the next couple of months, to review and reflect on the happenings and developments of the tournament, come what may!
With just over an hour to go, I do not have a clue what to expect!
So much has happened and changed since both England's victory in 2005 and Australia's thrashing 2006/2007.
As my cricket blogs over the past months have reflected and shown:
One week I feel more confident and optimistic with England and think, you never know, they may grab it, just like in 2005. With Andrew Flintoff fit and back, James Anderson on fire, wicketkeeper Matt Prior impressing, and batsmen Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook, Ravi Bopara and Paul Collingwood gaining more runs and confidence, the side looks competitive and promising and the excitement and expectancy rise high.But then, the next week, they fall to bits again, hitting themselves out for a small total and not being able to defend it. Then they look doomed to fail miserably just like in 2006/2007. It has often been said, too much pressure is put on Kevin Pietersen to carry an innings and all the runs on his own. But he has not enjoyed is best and highest average of runs at all lately either.
That brings back the issue of captaincy I blogged about before, too. Since Michael Vaughan's reign and glory of 2005, a lot has changed and happened. The clash and fallout between Kevin Pietersen and Peter Moores did not help matters whatsoever. Andrew Strauss was then the harmonious pick, which has been both lauded and criticised.
Then the eyes fall onto Australia. The side has changed much more since the last contests and is hardly recognizable. They are without their retired bowling legends Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath, batsmen Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden and high-scoring wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist. Brett Lee and Shane Watson are out, too, for the first test match at least, due to injury. The Aussies will have to rely on some inexperienced but promising looking newcomers.
One thing is for sure, both sides are not to be underestimated. So, one way or the other, I think we are going to be in for a big surprise. I dare not predict anything! I have to rush to the telly now, to catch the kick-off to the Ashes. I am going to keep a little Ashes Diary over the next couple of months, to review and reflect on the happenings and developments of the tournament, come what may!
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