Ashes 2010/2011 Countdown

Sports - Cricket - Ashes 2010/2011

And here we go again! Only 15 months have passed since we retained the Ashes and now we want to defend them, in Australia! For the first time in over 20 years (24 years to be exact), we want to win it Down Under! And I think, with all the Australian top names that have retired and won it for them in the past, we have the best chance, more than ever!

Looking at the squads, comparing their experience, character, attitude and hunger - hopefully, this time, it won't end up in embarrasment on our side - but on theirs! Like last time, Ashes 2009, I hope I can report and blog my heart out with the results ending up all good and more than worth it - COME ON ENGLAND!

Australia Test squad:

Ricky Ponting (captain)
DOB: 19.12.1974, Batting style: Right-hand, Bowling style: Right arm medium

Doug Bollinger
DOB: 24.07.1981, Batting style: Left-hand, Bowling style: Left arm fast medium

Michael Clarke (vice-captain)
DOB: 02.04.1981, Batting style: Right-hand, Bowling style: Slow left arm

Xavier Doherty
DOB: 22.11.1982, Batting style: Left-hand, Bowling style: Slow left arm

Callum Ferguson
DOB: 21.11.1984, Batting style: Right-hand, Bowling style: Right arm medium

Peter George
DOB: 16.10.1986, Batting style: Right-hand, Bowling style: Right arm fast medium

Brad Haddin
DOB: 23.11.1977, Batting style: Right-hand

Ben Hilfenhaus
DOB: 15.03.1983, Batting style: Right-hand, Bowling style: Right arm fast medium

Mike Hussey
DOB: 27.05.1975, Batting style: Left-hand, Bowling style: Right arm medium

Mitchell Johnson
DOB: 02.11.1981, Batting style: Left-hand, Bowling style: Left arm fast medium

Simon Katich
DOB: 21.08.1975, Batting style: Left-hand, Bowling style: Left arm wrist spin

Marcus North
DOB: 28.07.1979, Batting style: Left-hand, Bowling style: Off break

Tim Paine
DOB: 08.12.1984, Batting style: Right-hand

Peter Siddle
DOB: 25.12.1984, Batting style: Right-hand, Bowling style: Right arm fast medium

Steven Smith
DOB: 17.06.1981, Batting style: Right-hand, Bowling style: Right arm fast medium

Shane Watson
DOB: 02.06.1989, Batting style: Right-hand, Bowling style: Right arm legbreak

Possible lineup for the 1st Test:
Australia team: Ricky Ponting (captain), Simon Katich, Shane Watson, Michael Clarke, Mike Hussey, Marcus North, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Xavier Doherty, Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus.

England Test squad:

Andrew Strauss (captain)
DOB: 02.03.1977, Batting style: Left-hand, Bowling style: Left arm medium

James Anderson
DOB: 30.07.1982, Batting style: Left-hand, Bowling style: Right arm fast medium

Ian Bell
DOB: 11.04.1982, Batting style: Right-hand, Bowling style: Right arm medium

Tim Bresnan
DOB: 28.02.1985, Batting style: Right-hand, Bowling style: Right arm medium fast

Stuart Broad
DOB: 24.06.1986, Batting style: Left-hand, Bowling style: Right arm fast medium

Paul Collingwood (vice-captain)
DOB: 26.05.1976, Batting style: Right-hand, Bowling style: Right arm medium

Alastair Cook
DOB: 25.12.1984, Batting style: Left-hand, Bowling style: Off break

Steven Davies
DOB: 17.06.1986, Batting style: Left-hand

Steven Finn
DOB: 04.04.1989, Batting style: Right-hand, Bowling style: Right arm medium fast

Eoin Morgan
DOB: 10.09.1986, Batting style: Left-hand, Bowling style: Right arm medium

Monty Panesar
DOB: 25.04.1982, Batting style: Left-hand, Bowling style: Slow left arm

Kevin Pietersen
DOB: 27.06.1980, Batting style: Right-hand, Bowling style: Off break

Matthew Prior
DOB: 26.02.1982, Batting style: Right-hand

Graeme Swann
DOB: 24.03.1979, Batting style: Right-hand, Bowling style: Off break

Chris Tremlett
DOB: 02.09.1981, Batting style: Right-hand, Bowling style: Right arm medium fast

Jonathan Trott
DOB: 22.04.1981, Batting style: Right-hand, Bowling style: Right arm medium

Possible lineup for the 1st Test:
England team: Andrew Strauss (captain), Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Ian Bell, Matt Prior, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, Steven Finn, James Anderson.

Australia's last 5 (10): WLLLN (LNLLW)

England's last 5 (10): WDWWL (LWWWW)

Ashes 2010/2011 Fixtures:
1st Test: 25-29 November, Brisbane
2nd Test: 3-7 December, Adelaide
3rd Test: 16-20 December, Perth
4th Test: 26-30 December, Melbourne
5th Test: 3-7 January, Sydney

Followed by two Twenty20 internationals on 12 and 14 January and a series of seven ODI from 16 January-6 February.

Can we do it?
My prediction: Yes wen can!

Australia 1-2 England

(Even if it ends 2-2, we retain the holy Ashes!)