The Reverse Sweep

Happy 1st Birthday

The Reverse Sweep is one year old today.

Some (ok no-one) likened the arrival of the Reverse Sweep as the Second Coming, but as you can see we were premature by two days - unlike Alastair Cook who was born on Christmas Day and had fooled us into thinking he was the Second Coming of Wally Hammond in Brisbane and Adelaide.

Like most one year olds, we are still learning to walk, talk and familiarise ourselves with the world, but unlike many other cricket blogs we have made it to our first birthday, which is pretty good considering the infant mortality rate of bloggers.

So whilst we blow out the candles on our cup cake and drink our tea on this chilly morn, here are an XI of our highlights (or maybe low-lights?) of an eventful first year out of the womb.

1. Finding that there are similar like minded cricket addicts with warped minds and acerbic tongues via several excellent cricket blogs, Test Match Sofa and Twitter (where we have incredibly amassed over 600 followers)
2. Being named one of the 50 leading cricket web sites in the world by The Times and getting over 120,000 hits in our first year
3. Getting a shout in Dawn for our piece on Pakistan's flirtation with Hollywood during the Headingley Test against the Aussies
4. Being paid to write about cricket - it was great whilst it lasted until said site suddenly stopped paying its contributors - you know who you are
5. Getting published in the first three editions of Cricket Sadist
6. Discovering Test Match Sofa - which has literally saved our lives when work and broadcasting restrictions have meant that Sky and Test Match Special were not available
7. Getting a reply from Graham Onions on Twitter when we suggested Gary Sobers, Keith Miller and Imran Khan as alternatives to his assertion that Jacques Kallis was the best all-rounder ever
8. Witnessing the continued resurgence of the England cricket team, which has taken in a World T20 win, vastly improved ODI performances and a near two year unbeaten record in Test series - a win at the MCG over the next few days will be the icing on the cake
9. Launching our most popular features including Heroes & Zeroes and the labour of love that was the Ashes 100 day countdown - the latter a collaberation with our good friends at World Cricket Watch
10. Reading the brilliant biography of Harold Larwood by Duncan Hamilton - the best cricket book we've ever read and the perfect appetiser for the Ashes
11. Finally, but most importantly, the birth of Miss Reverse Sweep Junior, which with Master Reverse Sweep coming just two years before completes the best (and only) double hundred we've ever scored

Happy birthday Sweep - with love from Sooty and Sue.

Where next?

Check out all our Reverse Sweep heroes and zeroes

See our Ashes 100 day countdown

Heroes: Test Match Sofa

If you like this, follow us on Twitter @thereversesweep

Ashes 100-1: 1 - Ten tips for the Ashes

 
It's been a real labour of love, but today sees the last post of our 100 day Ashes countdown collaboration with our good friends at World Cricket Watch. 100 posts in 100 days - it's been tough at times but on the whole its been enjoyable.

So with less than one day to go until Messrs Strauss and Ponting toss the coin and proceedings get underway at The Gabba, here are our ten tips for the series:

1. Despite England bowling out Australia for 80 at The Gabba to win the 1st Test, the Channel 9 commentary team are scathing in their criticism of Andrew Strauss' supposed negative captaincy

2. In an effort to cure his dodgy back, Michael Clarke gets back together with Lara Bingle. 

3. After scoring his first hundred for 20 months at Adelaide, KP decides that facial hair brings him good luck and by the time of the Sydney Test, he has a beard that would make Hashim Amla and Mohammad Yousuf proud.

4. Mitchell Johnson's first ball of the series goes straight to third slip and back in the Sky studio in London,  a certain Steve Harmison cannot contain his glee. Meanwhile, Mitchell's Mum - never one to shy away from publicity - does a centrefold spread in Playboy Australia.

5. Leading runscorer in the series? Ian Bell. Leading wicket-taker? Ben Hilfenhaus. Most grumpyplayer? Ricky Ponting. Most boring press conference? Michael Clarke every time.

6. At the Christmas Party proceeding the Melbourne Test, the karaoke choices if the players prove pretty telling. Shane Watson opts for 'Mr Vain', Stuart Broad 'You're So Vain', Ricky Ponting 'Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now', Jonathan Trott and Michael Clarke duet on 'Being Boring'before Kevin Pietersen rounds off proceedings with 'I Am The One and Only'.

7. Michael Hussey and/or Marcus North will be dropped before the end of the series for Usman Khawaja and/or Callum Ferguson.

8. The Australian selectors announce a collaboration with Simon Cowell called Spin Factor so that the public can pick the long-term successor to Shane Warne. After Doherty plays at The Gabba, Smith gets a turn at Adelaide, O'Keefe at Perth and Hauritz at Melbourne before the public pick the wildcard Bryce McGain in a special New Year's Day programme on Channel 9. McGain plays at Sydney and takes eight wickets.

9. Starved of action on the field, Tim Bresnan's weight balloons to 20 stone by the end of the series. Desperate to lose the pounds before the one dayers, he employs Jesse Ryder's fitness instructor. 

10. And the most important tip of all? We go for England to retain the Ashes in an extremely tight series either by virtue of drawing the series 2-2 or by sneaking a 2-1 or 3-2 win.

Let the action begin.

Where next?

Read all the articles of our Ashes 100 day countdown

10 reasons why Australia / England will win the Ashes

Ashes Squad Player Profiles: Australia and England

All-time Australian Ashes XI: The Openers, Number 3, 4 and 5, All-rounder, Wicketkeeper, Fast bowlers, Spin Kings

All-time England Ashes XI: The Openers, Number 3, 4 and 5, All-rounder, Wicketkeeper, Fast bowlers, Spin King

Ashes 100-1: Who would be in your Ashes Composite XI?

 
As we reach just two days to go until the action starts in Brisbane, David Siddall of World Cricket Watch picks his composite Ashes XI from Thursday's two likely starting line-ups.

The wait is almost over. There’s only two days until the action gets underway in Brisbane and writing 100 Ashes articles in 100 days has been a long and enjoyable slog. There’s not much more to say apart from picking a composite XI as a way to understand which way the series might go. Now that Australia’s ballooning 17 man squad has been trimmed down to a respectable 13, along with England’s almost certain starting lineup, we can decide who we’d have in our dream XI.

1. Andrew Strauss – Arguably the pick of the captains and most definitely in the top two openers both on form and strokeplay.

2. Shane Watson – It could only be Watson with an average over 50 ever since that Edgbaston test and an ability to score at a good rate. A handy 5th bowler in this lineup too.

3. Jonathan Trott – Has cemented the number 3 spot for England with guile and a lot of runs

4. Ricky Ponting – Don’t worry, Punter is just moving down the order. Without a doubt the most talented batsman in either side. Will have to score a lot of runs to leave a legacy untarnished.

5. Michael Clarke – A Test average of 50 and a solid technique that suits Australian conditions. His back might be a concern but he’s a quality batter.

6. Ian Bell – Up against the likes of Hussey and North you might think this one is an easy decision and you’d be right. The big century against Australia A was pure class and that has been the mould of his batting ever since coming back into the side.

7. Matt Prior – Arguably edges Haddin in both glovework and batting.

8. Stuart Broad – He’s the one bowler that Australia seem to fear and he has a belief and ambition greater than the other English bowlers. Conditions will suit him with both bat and ball.

9. Mitchell Johnson – Never has any man been able to win or lose a test match in so short a space of time. But you have to have him in for the X Factor ( worst cliche ever!)

10. Graeme Swann – Most complete spinner in world cricket right now, this one was an absolute no brainer.

11. Ben Hilfenhaus – Australia have strength in depth in the fast bowling stocks but this one was a straight shoot out between Hilf and Bollinger for my money. Ben Hilfenhaus edges it for me.

Can count themselves very unfortunate: James Anderson (in favourable conditions would be up there with Steyn, Zaheer and malinga for best quicks in the world), Kevin Pietersen (2nd most talented batter on display), Dougie Bollinger (will cause England troubles)

So there we have it. The Ashes composite XI comprises of 6 Englishmen and 5 Australians which once again provides us with an indicator of just how close this series is likely to be. Who would you pick?

Where next?

Read all the articles of our Ashes 100 day countdown

10 reasons why Australia / England will win the Ashes

Ashes Squad Player Profiles: Australia and England

All-time Australian Ashes XI: The Openers, Number 3, 4 and 5, All-rounder, Wicketkeeper, Fast bowlers, Spin Kings

All-time England Ashes XI: The Openers, Number 3, 4 and 5, All-rounder, Wicketkeeper, Fast bowlers, Spin King

Ashes 100-1: 3 - Our tip for the 3 England players & wildcard to star in the Ashes

 
With just three days now until the first shots are fired in the Battle of the Gabba, today we name the three England players we expect to shine during the upcoming series plus our additional wildcard pick.

1. Ian Bell

At the Reverse Sweep we cannot be accused of jumping on the bandwagon on this occasion after Bell's superlative 192 against Australia A, because we predicted back in September (see Could Ian Bell be England's Ashes Ace in the Pack?) that Bell would "emerge as England's highest run scorer over the winter". In terms of ability and repertoire of shots, Bell is the most talented batsman in the England squad - bar none. However, in the past he has been let down by lapses in concentration and an inability to get runs when the pressure was really on. And of course he has a shocking record against Australia - averaging only 25.68 in 13 Ashes tests. But since he came back into the side at Edgbaston in 2009, Bell looks to have allied mental toughness to his immense talent. This was particularly evident in his plucky 72 in the Ashes decider at The Oval and even more so when he batted for most of the day with Paul Collingwood to save the Cape Town Test at the start of 2010. Bell seems to have found his niche at number six and is obviously in good touch, so now is the time to make the Australians see what all the fuss is about.

2. Stuart Broad

Winning the Ashes is in the blood for Broad. His inspired spell at The Oval in 2009 tipped the scales irrevocably in England's favour and his father played a leading role with three hundreds in England's last successful venture down under in 1986/87. Broad junior is in an excellent position to emulate his Dad by playing a leading role in the series. His height and the natural bounce he generates should make Broad extremely dangerous on the hard and pacy Australian wickets and we tip him to be England's leading seamer in the series. And following on from his 169 against Pakistan at Lord's, Broad should enjoy himself with the bat too given his liking for the ball coming on to the bat.

3. Graeme Swann

Big things are expected of Swann in the series and we believe that he will deliver. Some cricketers buckle when thrust into the limelight, but as Shane Warne amusingly observed Swann thrives on the attention "He's going to walk around like David Hasselhoff, and love being the man with the ball".  And Swann undoubtedly is the 'man with the ball' - he is the best spinner in the world and he should enjoy the extra bounce he can expect to get in Australia as unlike other English spinners of previous vintage, Swann really gives it a rip. The Australian batsmen are likely to attack Swann, but he will enjoy that and we expect him to at least equal his performance on similar wickets in South Africa last winter when he took 21 wickets in the four tests.

Wildcard - Chris Tremlett

It is unlikely that England will keep the same trio of fast bowlers for all five tests and Tremlett is the next cab on the rank. Ideally suited to Australian wickets, the tall Tremlett impressed against Australia A with seven wickets and looks ready to add to the three tests he played against India in 2007. Tremlett did well against India and troubled all of their batsmen with his extra bounce, but injuries and loss of form meant he went off the radar until he bounced back with new county Surrey this summer. Warne wrote back in September that he believes that if "the penny drops for Chris, then he can be a world-beater" going on to say that "he could be the No 1 bowler in the world". We're not sure if we would go that far, but Tremlett can definitely make an impression on this series.

Where next?

10 reasons why Australia / England will win the Ashes

Ashes Squad Player Profiles: Australia and England

Ashes 100-1: 4 - Our tip for the 3 Australians & wildcard to star in the Ashes

 
With just four days to go until the Phoney War ends and the Battle of the Gabba commences in Brisbane, we at the Reverse Sweep are taking a look at the combatants on each side we expect to shine during what promises to be a pulsating series.

Today, we select the three Australians we expect to make a big impression on the series before the climax in Sydney, as well as one wildcard who although not in the final squad for Brisbane could also provide a surprising influence on the battle for the urn.

1. Ricky Ponting

Whichever way you look at it, the Australian captain appears to be in an irreversible decline as a test batsman. For someone who at one time had an astonishingly good record of converting fifties into hundreds, the past two years have proved a humbling experience. Since scoring 123 against India in Bangalore in October 2008, Ponting has only converted three of his last 18 fifties into three figures. Ponting also knows that he is drinking in the last chance saloon as captain – as surely a third Ashes defeat at the helm would not be tolerated by Australian selectors and public alike. But Ponting seems to like having his back against the wall - as he did at the start of the 2006/07 Ashes and looked what happened there. You don’t become the second highest test run-getter ever and hit 39 test centuries without being an exceptional batsman and we are punting on Ponting to deliver the goods over the next five tests – even if it proves to be the last hurrah for one of the all-time great batsmen.

2. Ben Hilfenhaus

Hilfenhaus was the standout bowler on either side during the 2009 Ashes and was deservedly the leading wicket taker with 22 wickets at 27.45 apiece. Unlike the likes of Johnson, Broad and Swann, Hilfenhaus was consistent throughout and his ability at gaining movement in the air and off the wicket troubled all of England’s batsmen. Injuries have restricted him to playing only one home test, but now that he is fully fit we expect him to repeat his achievement in England and be the leading wicket taker on either side again. Whether he gets the support required from his fellow bowlers is another matter.

3. Shane Watson

This one sticks in the throat a bit because for a variety of reasons – some valid and some probably unfathomable, we have taken a bit of a dislike to Mr Vain at the Reverse Sweep. However, his performance as an opener since his return to the side at Edgbaston in the 2009 series have been a revelation – he has scored 1,261 runs in that time at an average of 50.44. Whilst he doesn’t score many hundreds, he invariably gives his side a good and brisk start in tandem with the obdurate Simon Katich. Yes, there are plenty of flaws in his technique – he is a walking LBW and he doesn’t play spin well early in his innings, but as yet his success as an opening batsman is untarnished. Expect that to continue over the course of the series and don’t be surprised to see him take the odd wicket with his innocuous but bizarrely effective medium pace trundlers.

Wildcard: Usman Khawaja

As we’ve written before, Michael Hussey looks shot as a test batsman and we wouldn’t be surprised if despite his double-failure against England for Australia A if Khawaja is brought in to replace Hussey or Marcus North at some point in the series. He would certainly appear to be a class act with an average a touch under 53 and six hundreds already in his 23 first-class matches. If Khawaja does come in, expect the impetuosity of youth (he is only 23) to help him conquer any nerves. And if the selectors are brave they could put Khawaja – who would be the first Muslim to play for Australia -  in at three to allow Ponting to drop down the order.

Where next?

10 reasons why Australia / England will win the Ashes

Ashes Squad Player Profiles: Australia and England

Zeroes: Shane Watson

Ashes 100-1: 5 - England vs Australia A: England marks out of 10

 
Mission accomplished. England have successfully negotiated their three warm-up matches winning two comfortably and having the better of a rain affected draw against South Australia. On previous tours, England have been embarrassed by Australia A - but not this time as the second string bowling attack and the blade of Ian Bell proved too much for Cameron White's fledglings in Hobart.

So England now move on to Brisbane and the real action with pretty much all cylinders firing. Strauss, Cook and Bell have all hit hundreds, Collingwood looks to have regained his touch, the first and second string bowlers have all hit their straps and there are no injuries. There are some concerns over Kevin Pietersen - but he tends to save his best for the big occasion - and Jonathan Trott, whose highest score to date is 41. But these are reasonably minor worries and overall England look in fine fettle.

Sky Sports are to be applauded for showing the Australia A game as with our insomniac five month daughter, it has enabled the small hours to pass more pleasurably over the last four nights. As such, here is how the England XI rated over the game plus our view on their readiness for the series:

Andrew Strauss – 6: Looks in really good touch even if he only scored 10 in the first innings. His defensive field placings really got up the nose of the Channel 9 commentators, but overall marshalled his troops well. Verdict: Two centuries in three warm-ups mean Strauss is ready to make-up for his poor 2006/07 series

Alastair Cook – 7: Continued his upturn in form from the first warm-up match but again looked scratchy until he’d played himself in. Poor shot to get out, but looks ready for the Gabba. Verdict: As ready as someone with Cook's technical flaws could be 

Jonathan Trott - 6: Hit his highest score of the tour and looked comfortable enough until he was beaten for pace by Cameron for a horrible looking dismissal. Verdict: Was due a run of low scores after his run filled English summer and appears to be pretty unflappable, so more or less ready

Kevin Pietersen – 3: It looked like the old swagger and confidence had returned, but his nightmares against left arm spinners resurfaced when inexplicably playing down the wrong line to a straight one from O’Keefe. It will be fascinating to see if he can return to past glories when the real action starts. Verdict: Could have done with one big score in the warm-up matches, but we are still backing him to fire

Paul Collingwood – 8: A second successful score of 80+ means the Trojan of the Trenches looks ready for hand to hand combat with the Australians in Brisbane. Verdict: Looks back in nick and ready for action

Ian Bell – 9.5: A sublime and dreamy innings from a man who appears to be in the form of his life. The way he took apart Smith was both brilliant and ruthless. Verdict: Finally, it looks like Bell’s time to shine against the Australians has arrived.

Matt Prior – 6: Continues to impress with the gloves where the improvement since he first appeared for England is massive. Decent enough cameo with the bat – albeit with a disappointing dismissal. Verdict: Would have liked to have scored more runs in the warm-up matches

Tim Bresnan - 7: Six wickets with the ball and a useful 36 with the bat means it was a successful match for the willing Yorkshireman. But test class? We're not so sure. Verdict: Won't lack for application if he gets a chance in the series, but is he good enough?

Ajmal Shahzad - 6: Not even in the squad, but was the best performer with the ball in the first innings especially in the first session of the match. Slipped back in the second innings but the feeling persists that his bowling style may suit Adelaide. Verdict: Unlikely to get a chance, but showed that England have real strength in depth

Chris Tremlett – 8: Is the next cab on the rank for a place in the bowling attack and match figures of 7/121 shows that the big Surrey bowler will be ready when called upon. Flower and Strauss should seriously consider putting him in the XI at Brisbane - even if that would be harsh on Finn. Verdict: Looks, fit, focused and in-form. Get him in.

Monty Panesar – 7: Looks to have recaptured his enjoyment for the game. Took a stunning catch, did his job at nightwatchman with aplomb and bowled with control and accuracy, before finally being rewarded with three second innings wickets. Verdict: If England opt for two spinners at Adelaide and/or Sydney then Monty is ready

Where next?

See THAT catch by Monty again and again and... 

England's Ashes preparations: Is it all going a bit too smoothly?

10 reasons why Australia / England will win the Ashes

Ashes Squad Player Profiles: Australia and England

Ashes 100-1: 6 - Channel 9's Ashes Memorabilia for 2010/11

As we've mentioned before, the cricket comes second to the advertising on Channel 9's cricket commentary. Daniel Gray of World Cricket watch obviously agrees and has taken a stab at what memorabilia the accursed Channel will be flogging this year.

With the sea of voices discussing everything in Australian cricket even remotely Ashes related, there has been one key area where the critics have remained strangely silent. For the good folk at Channel 9, the action on the field may be important, but as anyone who’s watched a Test or two in their life will know, the network sees the matches primarily as a great opportunity to sell overpriced cricket memorabilia.

With the golden age of Australian cricket now behind us, and few momentous accomplishments among the current line-up, I am a bit concerned that Tony and co will have to plumb the depths in order to provide limited edition prints and prop up the network revenue stream for another summer. With that in mind, I have put together a list of quality items for the commentary team to flog this summer.

Ricky's Steak

Before Punter was appointed to the highest office in the country, he was another rough and tumble lad out on the tiles when he wasn’t among the runs. In January 1999, our fearless leader chased the wrong bird and ended up on the tiles, literally. Fronting the media with a black eye the next day was the low point in Ricky’s career at that time, which has of course been surpassed by the 2005 and 2009 Ashes losses to England.

To commemorate the first of many failures in Ricky’s career, Channel Nine is offering 50 lucky viewers a piece of history. The original porterhouse used by Ricky to ice his shiner has been carved up, with each chunk individually numbered and signed by Australia’s captain. This meaty piece of history won’t last long, and at just $750 per chunk it’s sure to sell out fast.

Pup's Chesty

The only thing the public love more than the Australian captain is the vice captain. Right? So opinion polls may show Pup is on the nose, but for one lucky viewer (probably female) we have the chesty Bonds singlet worn by Pup on his return flight from New Zealand earlier this year when he left the tour briefly to deal with some excess baggage.

With original fake tan marks and no damage to the fabric from body hair, this is a collector’s item that will frame the wall in your pool room for years to come. This once in a lifetime item comes in a hot pink frame personally signed by the VC himself. At just $2593 plus postage this is sure to snapped up quickly, so call now.

Mitch's hankies

With the 2010/11 Ashes just days away, what better way to celebrate the spirit of this great series than to commemorate our 2009 loss by purchasing Mitch’s tear stained hankies. Used frequently throughout that memorable series, these hankies are double stitched, softer than silk and wider than necessary, just the way Mitch likes it.

Buy today while Mitch is still in the national team, and celebrate the brief career of our champion fast bowler. Just $450 plus postage, with a payment plan available for those lower income earners out there.

Little Nathan's photo collection

While the English may have a clear advantage in the spin department, the Aussie incumbent has a collection of compromising photographs of the Australian selectors to put Graeme Swann to shame. For the first time, Channel Nine is proud to present gold-framed shots from this rare collection, each personally chosen by Nathan Hauritz himself. No detail has been spared, with a plaque attached to each frame listing which Test match Nathan held his place for after bribing the selector in the shot, and Nathan’s bowling figures in that match.

The first five callers will also receive a copy of the new DVD, ‘From Rags to Rags’, in which Nathan outlines his rise from mediocrity at state level to mediocrity at international level. A great gift for Dad this Christmas! Price varies depends on cricket ability. If you are a future star, pricing starts at $2000 per photo. For members of the general public, the whole collection can be yours for just $9732, with express courier delivery included in the price. You will also receive a personal phone call from Andrew Hilditch, and a place in the next extended Australian Test squad announced later this summer.

So as you can see, despite the cloud currently hanging over our national side, the good folks at Channel Nine will be offering quality merchandise to the general public this summer. Call now to avoid disappointment!

Where next?

Zeroes: Bill Lawry

10 things about the Ashes NOT to look forward to

After Zulqarnain's bunk, we predict the next 11 crazy moments in Pakistan cricket

Ashes 100-1: 7 - Should Australia go in with four quicks at the Gabba?

 
As we reach number seven in our 100 day Ashes countdown, Matthew Wood, the brains behind Balanced Sports urges Australia to think outside the box and consider a four pronged shape for their bowling unit.

By picking three spinners in a squad of seventeen, Australia has shown its hand: they’re going to play a tweaker in the first Ashes Test next week.  Hardly startling news, but it leaves the question: why not play four fast bowlers?  The ‘Gabba traditionally takes pace very well and there is a convincing argument that the best four bowlers in the country (perhaps even the best seven) are speedsters.

Of course there are plenty of very good arguments against fronting up with a four-pronged pace attack: a team needs variety, a team  needs a stock bowler unlikely to break down, the ‘Gabba was Shane Warne’s most preferred ground to bowl at outside the MCG … wasn’t it also one of the harbingers of the apocalypse?  In fact, the arguments for it are probably 90% convincing: There’s no question that a variety of arrows in the quiver of Ricky Ponting makes for a more balanced team and that Australia’s best four quicks are remarkably injury prone.  What’s curious is that no-one’s talking about it even as an option.  There are reasons as to why it isn’t a good idea so why not start looking for reasons as to why it has merit?

It comes down to only one reason.  The first involves the now-obligatory mention of the West Indian sides of the 1970s and 1980s.  The dominant Windies of that era played a pace quartet because it was their best way of taking twenty wickets whether they were at home, in Australia or in spin-friendly India.  Their best seven or eight bowlers were fast men, so they played the top four.  It was only when that top four included Cameron Cuffy and Kenny Benjamin that their reign ended – in order to work, this lineup needs four pacemen of absolute quality.

As Australia’s pace stocks appear healthy with at least six fast men of international quality, why not try it?  The best four would comprise Mitchell Johnson, Ben Hilfenhaus, Doug Bollinger and Peter Siddle, giving you one swing bowler, two honest triers and Johnson’s loose cannon.  It may or may not work, but it is at least worth evaluating.

Most cricket boffins would probably opt for the variety that a spinner brings to an XI and that’s probably for the best.  For the four-pronged pace attack to work, the bowlers involved have to be a class above the spinners they keep out of the side and with Australia that probably isn’t the case.  Succinctly, the increase in class has to be more than the decrease in variation.  That said, the idea shouldn’t be forever consigned to the scrapheap as the Baggy Green continues its search for A-list bowlers.  Perhaps it’s time for Australia, suddenly spoiled for choice with speed-merchants, to at least consider the idea that they aren’t forced by law to play a spinner.

Ashes 100-1: 8 - 10 reasons why Australia will regain the Ashes

 
Yesterday we gave ten reasons why England will retain the Ashes. Today it is the turn of Australia as we provide the same number of reasons why they will regain the urn come January in Sydney.

1. Home comforts

Australia's record at home since Mike Gatting's intrepid side won 2-1 down under in 1986/87 is phenomenal, with only three series lost since - West Indies won 3-1 in 1988/89 and 2-1 in 1992/93 whilst South Africa won 2-1 in 2008/09. Winning in Australia is tough. Are the Poms really good enough?

2. The Poms don't travel well

England have only won eight out of 25 Ashes series in Australia since 1900 and none since 1986/87. In the last 26 tests on Australian soil, England have won only three - Adelaide 1994/95, Melbourne 1998/99 and Sydney 2002/03 - all dead rubbers. Going from that to winning some live test matches would be quite a transformation.

3. Brisbane

In a series this close it will be crucial to get off to a good start. Fortunately for Australia, Brisbane is their favourite venue with only one defeat in their last 23 Tests at the Gabba - and 17 wins. England, who don't have a warm-up match in Queensland have been smashed by 10 wickets in 1990, 184 runs in 1994, 384 runs in 2002 and 277 runs in 2006. They did manage a draw in 1998 but only because they were saved by a tropical thunderstorm.

4. Ponting

The Australian captain may not be the batsman he once was but he knows he is drinking in the last chance saloon. If he loses an unprecedented third Ashes series as captain, he knows he will be relieved of the captaincy. And Australia don't have a habit of keeping ex-captains in the side. That could lead to a Ponting game-face not seen since the 2006/07 Ashes and we all know what happened then.

5. The Kookaburra

England's seam attack was pretty impressive in the English summer and the trio of Anderson, Broad and Finn offer a potent combination of swing, pace and bounce. But all this was achieved with the Duke ball and the Kookaburra is different. Australia don't rely so much on swing and are arguably better suited to be more effective with a non-swinging ball in non-swinging conditions than an England attack of which only one has played international cricket in Australia before.

6. Watson and Kato

One of the reasons that England struggled so much on their last trip down under was the poorform of Strauss and Cook and their inability to give England a good start. The same opening pair are in tandem this time and question marks remain over Cook in particular. Australia on the other hand have an opening pair in Watson and Katich that have given their side a good start on a regular basis since they came together at Edgbaston in 2009. If they can continue their success this time then Ponting, Clarke and the batsmen picked at five and six should be able to build from a firm basis.

7. Mitchell's Mum

Johnson may bowl like a drain away from Australia, but he is a different proposition on home pitches. Whether it is because he is in close proximity to his Mum and her rolling pin, who knows? But England will underestimate a bowler with an uncanny knack of taking wickets with bad balls at their peril.

8. Old Scars

With the exception of Kevin Pietersen and Jonathan Trott (and he has only played one Test against Australia), all of England's top six have indifferent records against Australia. Strauss averages 38, Collingwood 35, and Bell and Cook 26. All have scars that can be reopened and that is exactly what Ponting and his bowlers will be plotting come Brisbane on 25th November.

9. Form is temporary

Australia may be getting a hard time at the moment over their form, but is it really that bad? They lost a two-test series away to the number one ranked side and but for Bollinger's sore stomach and the inspirational VVS Laxman they would have at least drawn that series. They also lost the Headingley test to Pakistan, but they beat the same side in the other four tests they played against them in the last year. Australia also won a series recently in South Africa. If they can get things together in time for Brisbane, they will be extremely tough to beat on their own pitches.

10. The X(avier) Factor

Australia's secret weapon could be a bowler who has a first-class average of 48. But just maybe it is all part of an elaborate ploy to trick the Poms and Xavier Doherty is actually a left-arm version of Shane Warne. And we all know who struggles against slow-left-armers, don't we KP?

Where next?

Gabba dabba doo - Australia's phenomenal record at Brisbane

Zeroes: Shane Watson

Archie Jackson - The 'Other Bradman'

Ashes 100-1: 9 - 10 reasons why England will retain the Ashes

 
This Ashes series is boiling up to be the closest one down under since 1986/87, when Mike Gatting's England team beat a dismal Australian side 2-1. Since then Australia have dominated, winning 3-0 in 1990/91, 3-1 in 1994/95 and 1998/99, 4-1 in 2002/03 and of course 5-0 in 2006/07.

But this time it is difficult to separate the sides and a strong case could be made for either an Australian or English triumph. Over the next two days we will provide ten reasons why each team will preveil - starting today with England.

1. Preparation

After the shambles of the last trip, England have been meticulous in their preparations this time. The much lambasted boot camp in Germany seems to have focused minds on the target and the two warm-up matches to date have seen England hit the ground running. There will be no excuses for being undercooked in Brisbane this time.

2. The Flower Effect

Since taking over from the hapless Peter Moores, Andy Flower has been a revelation as coach. Other than his first test series in the Caribbean, England are unbeaten  - winning five and drawing one series - in South Africa. He has already transformed the T20 side into World Champions and the ODI side into serious contenders for the World Cup. Who would bet against him removing the final monkey off the back of the England cricket team and piloting Ashes success this Australian summer?

3. No injuries

England probably never had much chance of success on their last two trips down under, but rotten luck with injuries made things even worse. Flintoff, Gough and Thorpe all missed out in 2002/03 and last time around it was the turn of Vaughan, Simon Jones and Trescothick. This time however, with the possible exception of Graham Onions, England have sent their strongest squad. There are no injury worries so far and with the four main bowlers being sent to Brisbane as an advance party, then this should still hold true come day one at the Gabba. 

4. Resilience

Over the last two years, England have grown a backbone and an Australian like attribute of never knowing when they are beaten. Witness the nine wicket down draws at Cardiff, Centurion and Cape Town and also the way they bounced back to win at The Oval in the 2009 series after being humiliated at Headingley. This England team won't go down without a fight and that lion of the trenches Paul Collingwood - who was the central figure in the first three rearguards, epitomises England's battling spirit.

5. Swanny

England currently have the best spinner operating in test cricket - and it is a long, long time since you could say that. These teams may be closely matched in all other departments, but in the spin department there is only one winner. Swann has grown visibly since the 2009 series and despite the poor record of off-spinners in Australia, none have given it as much rip as Swann. He did well on similar pitches in South Africa last winter and expect him to do the same here too. 

6. The Middlesex Factor

England captains who plied their county cricket with Middlesex have a pretty good record of winning Ashes series down under. Of the eight England captains to win a series in Australia since 1900, three of them played for Middlesex - Pelham Warner in 1903/04, Mike Brearley in 1978/79 and Mike Gatting in 1986/87. Could Andrew Strauss become the latest member of this exclusive club?

7. Like Father, like Son?

The two warm-up matches to date suggest that Stuart Broad looks set to have a big series. Conditions in Australia are ideal for him with both bat and ball and success down under is in the blood, after his father's three centuries provided the basis for England's victory in 1986/87. A case of like Father, like Son?

8. Australia are there for the taking

That this is the weakest Australia side since 1986/87 is without question. Only one all-time great in Ponting remains and even he seems past his best. Confidence is low and the confused selection of a 17 man squad for the Gabba suggests that the selectors are split on whether to stick with the current players or plump for new blood in the shape of Ferguson and Khawaja. It will be tough, as it always is to win in Australia, but England have a real chance.

9. Confidence

Whereas before England have gone more in hope than in real belief, this time it is different. Confidence is high in the camp after winning five and drawing one of their last six test series and the trepidation once felt about facing Australia has gone after winning the 2009 Ashes as well as the T20 World Cup Final and the Nat West Series against them in the summer.

10. England only need a draw

Given that England hold the Ashes, a drawn series will enable them to retain the urn. 

Where next?

Read all the articles of our Ashes 100 day countdown

Australia win the Ashes 17-16

The 25 Greatest Ashes Tests of them all: Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3

Ashes 100-1: 10 - Australia 17 Man Squad Keeps England Guessing

 
This morning we were rather mocking in our views on the Australian selectors picking a 17 man squad for the Brisbane Test - see Australia win the Ashes 17-16 - David Siddall of World Cricket Watch sees things differently...

So this morning cricket Australia announced an obscenely large 17 man squad 10 days before the Ashes because of apparent “financial and marketing strain” placed upon them. The squad of 17 is larger than the entire England touring party and contains 3 spinners in Hauritz, Doherty and Smith which also seems somewhat excessive.

What turned about to be a media non-event has been met by a scathing attack from Peter English at CricInfo. If the selectors hands were truly forced to name a squad so early by the marketing powers that lie within Cricket Australia, I feel Mr English’s attack is unwarranted and contravenes what’s best for the Australian cricket team.

An interesting sidenote exists here if we take a holistic approach to analysing the squad for a moment. The names selected for the squad itself have not gone down so well with certain sections of the fans. Some notable exceptions are Cameron White (a possible candidate for the captaincy), Philip Hughes (considered the next Bradman not so long ago) and Andrew McDonald (arguably the most in form all rounder in Australia). Yet to be frank, these exceptions come as no surprise with all three of the candidates much more likely to play a role in the inevitable rebuilding process.

Going back to the issue of the colossal squad then picking 17 players makes more sense than a streamlined 12 or 13. A lot of cricket is to be played in the week leading up to the opening test as there is a full round of the Sheffield Shield alongside the Australia A – England game at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart.

Frankly it is better for Australia to keep England guessing rather than locking in a team compromising of a few too many players struggling for form. What if Usman Khawaja scores a big ton against England and continues his rich vein of form? What if Xavier Doherty takes a five wicket haul? What if Marcus North and Michael Hussey continue to fail with the bat? These are questions that the Australian selectors need to know the answers to before they trim down their squad to a more respectable size.

Australia squad Simon Katich, Shane Watson, Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey, Marcus North, Usman Khawaja, Callum Ferguson, Brad Haddin (wk), Steven Smith, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Hauritz, Xavier Doherty, Ryan Harris, Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus, Doug Bollinger.

Ashes 100-1: 11- Getting to know the Bellerive in Hobart

 
As our Ashes countdown reaches number 11, Ben Roberts of World Cricket Watch inspects the Bellerive Oval pitch prior to England’s encounter with Australia A.

Granted the 2010-11 Ashes series will not be fought out on the pitch at Bellerive. We will however later this week see the the touring English XI take on Australia ‘A’, where a considerable number of test hopefuls for both teams will seek to hold the selectors attention prior to the first test.

Bellerive is very much a forgotten ground by mainland Australian cricket followers. Whereas the general pitch characteristics of the mainland test venues may roll of the tongue from even spasmodic cricket fans, I must admit that when thinking of Bellerive I had to shrug my shoulders. Test cricket has only graced Bellerive since 1989, and since then only nine test matches have been played in total.

A cousin of mine works as part of the ground team at Bellerive so I had a good source to whom I could inquire for information on this pitch. Three main inputs provide a unique challenge for the ground team at Bellerive. Firstly, the use of rye rather than couch grass means that the pitch has to be carefully monitored as it will dry out quickly, the leaf will be left as long as possible that gives a bit for the bowlers. Secondly, adding to the challenge of keeping the pitch moist is the potential for brutal winds that will zap the moisture out at fast rate. Finally, the clay in the soil doesn’t break up with use so there is generally less opportunity for spinners. This is of course unless your name is ‘Shane’ or ‘Murali’.

Given the option, pacemen from both sides will be hoping that in the lead up to the match there is some moisture around and come the match day they are provided with still overcast conditions. A lack of moisture and stronger wind will threaten to flatten the pitch out early and gift batsman easy runs. The tests played of recent history have been characterised by big scores, this of course may also be reflective of Australia’s dominance in the past 20 years and the generally weaker touring teams drawn to play against Australia at Bellerive.

Australia’s finest moment at Bellerive was the 4 wicket win over Pakistan in 1999. Australia, facing a three pronged pace attack of Akram, Younis and Akhtar, recovered from being 126 for 5 to post the third highest fourth innings total of 369 for 6 and claim victory. Adam Gilchrist announced his entry into test match cricket by posting his maiden century in his second match sharing the match winning partnership with Justin Langer. On that day Pakistan’s lethal fast bowling trio toiled joylessly on a wicket that had dried throughout the match.

With the above in mind, look for England to perhaps rest its test bowling line up, aware that if conditions are not right they may toil as Pakistan did 11 years ago and stunt momentum before the first test. Australia ‘A’ includes genuine test prospects Khawaja and Ferguson in its batting order who will want to use the favourable conditions to really cement their places as the next in line for a test call up.

Ashes 100-1: 12 - The 25 Greatest Ashes Tests: Part 3 of 3

 
Today we conclude our mini-series of the 25 greatest Ashes tests of all time (see also Part 1 and Part 2 of the Greatest Ashes Tests ever) with the final nine starting in 1977 and ending in 2009.

Centenary Test, Melbourne, 12-17 March 1977 - Australia won by 45 runs: Not strictly an Ashes Test as the urn wasn't at stake, but this match staged to commemorate the first-ever Test exactly 100 years earlier was a classic. Australia were shot out for 138 before Lillee turned the table on England with six for 26 as England could only muster 95. Rod Marsh then struck 110 as Australia set England a mammoth 463 for victory. Amazingly they got close and at one point were 346 for four. But when Randall fell for a brilliant 174 the end was nigh and Australia scraped home by 45 runs - the same margin as in that first test 100 years before.

3rd Test, Headingley, 16-21 July 1981 - England won by 18 runs: For the first three days, England were completely outplayed and followed on. It seemed inevitable that Australia were about to go 2-0 up in the series. Then Botham with able support from Dilley and Old smashed 149 not out and Willis roared in with eight for 43 to enable England, who at one point had been 500/1 for the win, to score an amazing victory.

4th Test, Edgbaston, 30 July-2 August 1981 - England won by 29 runs: Lightning struck twice for Australia in the very next match when they looked like winning a low scoring encounter at Edgbaston. Set 151 to win, they eased to 87 for three before Botham produced his second miracle of the summer grabbing five for one in 28 balls to secure a 29-run victory.

4th Test, Melbourne, 26-30 December 1982 - England won by 3 runs: An extremely tight match saw all four innings total between 284 and 294. When Australia were 218 for nine chasing 292 all looked lost for the home side. But Border and Thomson took them to within sight of the finishing line before that man Botham struck inducing an edge from Thomson that Tavare parried into the hands of a grateful Miller.

4th Test, Melbourne, 26-30 December 1998 - England won by 12 runs: England were 2-0 down and the Ashes had already gone coming into the Boxing Day Test. But some unlikely seasonal cheer came their way when Australia collapsed chasing 175 - sliding from 130 for three to 162 all out. Dean Headley had his moment in the sun with six wickets whilst Steve Waugh scored 122 not out and 30 not out.

2nd Test, Edgbaston, 4-7 August 2005 - England won by 2 runs: The best test in history? McGrath and that cricket ball. Ponting wins the toss and inexplicably puts England in. England score over 400 on day one and lead by 99 on 1^stinnings. The Aussies fightback but a last wicket stand of 51 from Flintoff and Simon Jones enables England to set the Aussies 282 to win. A magical over by Flintoff accounts for Langer and Ponting. A magnificent slower ball from Harmison bamboozles Clarke. Lee with Warne and then Kasprowicz take Australia to the precipice of victory before Harmison and Geraint Jones combined to win the day for England. Flintoff consoles Lee. Breathtaking.

4th Test, Trent Bridge, 25-28 August 2005 - England won by 3 wickets: England dominated the match with a century from Flintoff and five wickets for Simon Jones. But in pursuit of only 129 for victory after Australia had followed on, panic set in against an inspired Warne and Lee. Giles and Hoggard were the unlikely heroes that steered England home.

2nd Test, Adelaide, 1-5 December 2006 - Australia won by six wickets: Disaster and ignominious defeat for England and glory for Australia. A double-hundred for Collingwood and 158 from Pietersen saw England declare on 551 for six. Hoggard took seven wickets as Australia conceded a 38 run lead - it should have been more but Giles dropped Ponting and the Australian captain cashed in with 142. With a draw the most likely result, England caved in on the last day to be all out for 129 with an inspirational Warne pulling the strings and Australia cantered to victory and ultimately a 5-0 series win.

5th Test, The Oval, 20-23 August - England won by 197 runs: With the series level at 1-1, the momentum was with Australia after a crushing win at Headingley in the 4th Test. But Strauss won a crucial toss and led from the front with 55 and Bell top-scored with 72 as England scored 332. Then with Australia cruising at 73 for o, Stuart Broad (five for 37) bowled an inspired spell as the tourists were reduced to 111 for seven and finally 160 all out. Jonathan Trott then struck a composed hundred on debut with Strauss hitting his second fifty of the match to help set Australia an unlikely 546 for victory. At 217 for two, England were nervous but Flintoff's run out of Ponting proved to be decisive and the Ashes had been regained.

Where next?

Read all the articles of our Ashes 100 day countdown

Botham's Ashes

10 reasons why Andrew Flintoff was a true Ashes great

Dean Headley's one day in the sun  

Ashes 100-1: 13 - The 25 Greatest Ashes Tests: Part 2 of 3

 
Yesterday we listed the first eight (see Part 1 of the 25 Greatest Ashes tests) of what we at The Reverse Sweep consider to be the 25 greatest Ashes tests of them all. Today we unveil the next eight.

3rd Test, Adelaide, 13-19 January 1933 - England won by 338 runs: The Test that nearly broke the Empire. With the series locked at 1-1, England slipped to 30 for four before recovering to 341. Then the real drama unfolded as first Woodfull and then Oldfield were felled by Larwood. Cables were exchanged between the ACB and MCC, mounted police kept a baying crowd from rioting and Jardine maintained his iron rule as England cantered to victory.

5th Test, The Oval, 18-22 August 1934 - Australia won by 562 runs: As had happened four years previously, the two sides went into the timeless decider at The Oval level at 1-1. This time Australia won the toss and a massive 451 second wicket partnership between Ponsford (266) and Bradman (244) put the game out of England's reach. They responded with 321, but Woodfull chose not to enforce the follow on and Bradman hit 77 as Australia made 327. Set 708 to win, England folded meekly only totalling 145 with Grimmett taking five for 64.  

3rd Test, Melbourne, 1-7 January 1937 - Australia won by 365 runs: With Australia 2-0 down in Bradman's first series as captain it was do-or-die at Melbourne. But with rain making batting a lottery at times and both sides making bold declarations, Bradman reversed his batting order in the second innings and hit a magnificent 270 from number seven once the wicket had improved. Set 689 to win, England could only muster 323 and the biggest turnaround in any test series had begun. 

4th Test, Headingley, 22-27 July 1948 - Australia won by 7 wickets: The Invincibles tag would have never been applied to the all-conquering 1948 Australians without their amazing chase of 404 in the Headingley Test. Bradman (173*) played his last great innings at the scene of previous triumphs - he hit 334 and 304 at the same ground in the 1930 and 1934 series. Morris (182) joined forces with Bradman to add 301 in 217 minutes to render a seemingly impossible chase into a ridiculously easy one.

5th Test, The Oval, 15-19 August 1953 - England won by 8 wickets: After 19 long years, Len Hutton became the first England captain to win the Ashes since Jardine as the home side won a see-saw deciding test. England earned a narrow but crucial 31 run first innings lead thanks to a last wicket partnership of 44 between Bailey and Bedser. Lock and Laker then combined with nine wickets as Australia succumbed to 162 all out. Amidst high tension, Bill Edrich hit 55 not out as England reached their target with eight wickets to spare.

2nd Test, Sydney, 17-22 December 1954 - England won by 38 runs: Having lost the first test by an innings, England looked in real trouble when they were shot out for 154 batting first. The fightback started with Bailey and Tyson sharing eight wickets as Australia's lead was restricted to 74. May then hit a classy hundred as England made 296 second time round, but it was Tyson being knocked unconscious by Lindwall that tipped the scales. The Typhoon was born and took his retribution with six for 85 as Australia were skittled for 184. The tide had turned and England eventually won the series 3-1.

4th Test, Old Trafford, 27 July-1 August 1961 - Australia won by 54 runs: With the series poised at 1-1, an Australian victory would see them retain the Ashes. But when they were bowled out for 190 and England made 367 in reply that didn't look likely. But a century from Lawry and a last wicket partnership of 98 enabled the Aussies to set a target of 256. Dexter wasn't cowed and made a brilliant 76 to guide England to 150 for 2 before Benaud struck, taking 5 for 12 in 25 balls as Australia snatched a 54-run victory.

7th Test, Sydney, 12-17 February 1971 - England won by 62 runs: When rain washed out the 3rd Test at Melbourne, a seventh Test was added at the end of the tour. With England 1-0 up in the series and Australia holding the urn, it was also an Ashes decider. Australia eked out an 80 run lead as controversy struck when Illingworth led England off the field after Snow was first warned for short pitched bowling and was then bombarded with bottles by an irate crowd. The incident seemed to imbue England with renewed steel and a solid second innings performance enabled them to set a challenging target before bowling their hosts out for 160.

Where next?

Ten Ashes controversies

10 reasons why Bradman is the greatest of them all

Bradman leads Australia back from the dead in 1936-37

Ashes 100-1: 14 - The 25 Greatest Ashes Tests: Part 1 of 3

 
England and Australia have competed in 321 Test matches since the first acknowledged Test started on 15 March 1877. Australia have the edge in the oldest international sports contest with 132 wins to England's 99 and there have been 90 draws.

There have been many classic Tests in the battle for the little urn. In a three-part series, we have picked 25 of the best, which we will list chronologically.

The Oval, 28-29 August 1882 - Australia won by 7 runs: The birth of the Ashes with Australia winning a stunning victory after bowling out England for 69 having set them only 77 to win. Spofforth took 14 for 90 after declaring that "this thing can be done" and the dismissal of Grace saw England slide from 51 for two to a defeat considered so ignominious that Reginald Shirley Brook penned his mock obituary to English cricket in The Sporting Times.

1st Test,  Sydney, 14-20 December 1894 - England won by 10 runs: An amazing come-from-the-dead victory for England after following on 261 runs behind. Ward hit 117 as England recovered to set Australia 177 to win - a target they appeared to be coasting to when 130 for two. But Peel took six for 67 and Australia lost their last eight wickets for 53 as England completed an unlikely victory. England eventually won the series 3-2 by chasing down 297 in the decider at Melbourne.

3rd Test, The Oval, 10-12 August 1896 - England won by 66 runs: It was all square going into the final and deciding test of the 1896 series, but with the home side being skittled for 89 in their second innings it seemed that with Australia only needing 111 victory the tourists had regained the Ashes. But on a wet pitch, they slid to 25 for nine and ultimately 44 all out.

4th Test, Old Trafford, 24-26 July 1902 - Australia won by 3 runs: Australia retained the Ashes in a match that swung one way then another. Trumper became the first batsman to score a hundred before lunch on the first day of a Test as Australia hit 299. England recovered from 44 for five thanks to a hundred from F.S Jackson and then bowled Australia out for 86 in their second innings. But then the hapless Fred Tate took over. Having dropped a skier to reprieve Darling, Tate was last man out and the urn had gone. The test is still known as Tate's Match.

5th Test, The Oval, 11-13 August 1902 - England won by 1 wicket: The Ashes may have gone in the previous match, but that didn't stop this Test from being a classic. Set 263 to win, England slipped to 48 for five before Gilbert Jessop bludgeoned a hundred in 75 minutes. Then Hirst and Rhodes - England's last pair - came together with 15 required and 'got 'em in singles' to record a famous win.

5th Test, The Oval, 14-18 August 1926 - England won by 289 runs: After a period of utter Australian dominance following the end of World War I, the 1926 series in England was a much tighter affair. In the decider at The Oval, England were just ahead near the start of their second innings before a thunderstorm rendered the wicket as a treacherous 'sticky dog'. All seemed lost, but Hobbs and Sutcliffe thought otherwise and compiled an opening stand of 172 (Hobbs 100, Sutcliffe 161). England set Australia 415 and Rhodes and Larwood did the rest. Ashes regained.

3rd Test, Melbourne, 29 December 1928 - 5 January 1929 - England won by 3 wickets: Hobbs and Sutcliffe reprised their heroics in the next series, where with England set 332 to win on another wet wicket they compiled another century opening stand. Jardine, Hammond and then Hendren also provided sterling support to Sutcliffe who anchored the chase with 135. Despite some late wickets, England made it home by just three wickets to achieve an unassailable 3-0 series lead.

5th Test, The Oval, 16-22 August 1930 - Australia won by an innings and 39 runs: Despite the utter brilliance of Bradman, who scored 974 runs at 139.14, the series was locked at 1-1 going into the timeless decider at The Oval. England won the toss and 161 from Sutcliffe helped England compile 405 in their first innings. But with Bradman around that was never going to be enough. The Don scored 232 with Ponsford hitting 110 and Jackson 73 in a crucial 243 run partnership with Bradman as Australia made 695. It was too much for England and they folded for 251 to hand the Ashes back to Australia. 

Where next?

Heroes: Douglas Jardine

Hobbs and Sutcliffe star in the greatest test opening stand of them all

Ashes hundreds before lunch 

Ashes 100-1: 15 - The Ashes predictions of two cricket legends & Steve Claridge

In today's Ashes countdown piece, David Siddall of World Cricket Watch takes a look at what some all-time cricket legends make of the coming series...

Exploring a number of different avenues, it appears that this Ashes series in wide open. The betting markets unsurprisingly still have Australia as odds on favourites – home soil and recent history only points one way. Meanwhile the cricket websites’ Ashes Poll 2010 tells a completely different story with some very optimistic England fans – approximately 58% I’m guessing – who are backing the visitors for a historic victory.

Based on this kind of evidence I think we need a third opinion; and who better to turn to than 3 all time legends and personal heroes. 

The first interview I’m referring to is with the greatest England all-rounder of them all. It’s none other than the highly patriotic Ian Botham doing a McGrathesque impression when asked the difficult question:

 

The second interview, courtesy of 888, features two legends. Shane Warne needs no introduction. Meanwhile Steve Claridge is a legend in his own right who’s probably not so well known to the well versed cricket fan. He is a retired footballer who played up front for the greatest football team in the world – Leicester City – and is famous for securing promotion to the Premier League with the best “shinned” goal you will likely ever see. Unlike Beefy, Messrs Warne and Claridge take a much more measured approach.

 

Ashes 100-1: 16 - What does England's opening tour win tell us?

 
England’s victory against Western Australia was typical of their efforts in 2010 in that it was a bit patchy. The overwhelming aspect of the win was that once again England showed their resilience.

This was evidenced in the counterattacking ninth wicket partnership between Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann, which added 64 runs in just six overs and enabled Andrew Strauss to declare with England only 19 runs behind Western Australia’s first innings of 242 for eight. Given that they had been 117 for seven at one time, this near parity was the best that England could have asked for.

Then with Western Australia 130 for one early on the final day of the three day match, and the game heading towards a disappointing draw, Swann, Broad and Stephen Finn inspired a collapse and the last nine wickets fell for just 93.

Thereafter, England’s successful chase was extremely impressive with Andrew Strauss’ unbeaten hundred and Kevin Pietersen’s explosive cameo being particularly gratifying for England supporters. Getting the winning habit early on tour will do the squad the world of good and it certainly appears that these tourists are different from their immediately hapless predecessors.

Before we get carried away, not everything is rosy. As well as that first innings collapse, the form of Alastair Cook continues to cause concern – as does to a lesser extent that of Paul Collingwood.

Elsewhere though things look promising. Pietersen seems to have recovered confidence and his previously familiar swagger, which could lead to a flood of runs in the series for England’s most talented batsman. Australian conditions look like they are also going to suit Broad the batsman and Broad the bowler and it was good to see Swann chip in with four second innings wickets.

England now move on to Adelaide for their second warm-up match against South Australia, which starts on Thursday. We’d like to see Chris Tremlett given an outing instead of Finn and the selectors may also want to give Eoin Morgan some time in the middle in case Cook fails to recover his form in time for the Gabba.

England are unlikely to emulate the 1948 Australians and earn the tag of the Invincibles for going through the tour unbeaten, but a win in the opening tour match is a good omen and certainly an improvement on previous embarrassments.

Where next?

England Ashes Squad: Player Profiles

Australia Ashes Squad: Player Profiles

Australia: Punch drunk, on the ropes and ready for the taking?

Ashes 100-1: 17 - Could Xavier Doherty force me to eat my Wisden collection?

 
Today in our Ashes countdown, David Siddall of World Cricket Watch takes me to task on my withering assessment last week on Xavier Doherty's chances of playing in the upcoming Ashes series. With the paucity of spin options on offer to Ricky Ponting, I am prepared to concede that Mr Siddall may have a point and that I may be eating humble pie (or to be more accurate Wisden Pie) at some point over the next few weeks.

A few days back David Green delivered the verdict on the Australian squad (visit his Ashes 2010 Australian Squad Profiles). One notable profile was that of Xavier Doherty.

“Xavier Doherty – A first-class average of 50 with the ball suggests his mention in dispatches is perhaps a ploy to wind up that habitual victim of slow-left armers – Kevin Pietersen. If he plays in the series, we will eat our collection of Wisdens.”

Not one to mince his words, The Reverse Sweep, would eat his collection of Wisdens if he plays. As he rightly points out a first class average of 50 does not hold up to much and the figures don’t lie. But what Mr. Green does ignore is the fragility of the spin selection for the Australian starting lineup.

If we learned anything from the two tests in India, it was that Ricky Ponting has no faith in Nathan Hauritz. When the going got tough in Mohali and India, courtesy of VVS Laxman, chased down the most unlikely of targets it wasn’t Hauritz who Ponting turned to. He seemingly had more faith in the part time off spin of Marcus North. Faith that evidently wasn’t rewarded.

Amongst the World Cricket Watch team present at the MCG last Wednesday night, witnessing the wonderful “little” Sri Lankans beat Australia, there was a consensus that the Australian spin position is the spot that is the most up-for-grabs of them all. A sentiment exists that if any spinner does something spectacular in the Sheffield Shield, then they have every chance of featuring during the upcoming Ashes series. And that is exactly what Xavier Doherty did by claiming 5-83 in the first innings of Tasmania’s match against Victoria. Then having been called up to the Australian one day side he produced a bowling masterclass taking 4-46. And at one point had figures of 3 for 3.

A berth in the first test squad announced later tonight is extremely unlikely granted. But if Xavier produces the goods in one more Sheffield Shield game who’s to say whether he might not feature later in the series with the Reverse Sweep being forced to devour his cherished Wisdens.

Where next?

Is Australia's spin cupboard bare?

Zeroes: Michael Hussey

Let's play the Australian cricket captain lottery

Ashes 100-1: 18 - All-time Ashes XI

 
We see that Cricinfo has invited its readers to pick their All-time Ashes XI. Given we have recently selected our own all-time Australia and England Ashes XIs, it seems apt to pick a composite Ashes XI from these 22 names:

All-time Australian Ashes XI: The Openers, Number 3, 4 and 5, All-rounder, Wicketkeeper, Fast bowlers, Spin Kings

All-time England Ashes XI: The Openers, Number 3, 4 and 5, All-rounder, Wicketkeeper, Fast bowlers, Spin King

Openers

Having selected five openers in our two sides – Len Hutton was picked at first drop in our England Ashes XI – we have a plethora of options here. But for the same reason that Hutton was pushed down to three, we see no reason to split up the immortal opening partnership of Hobbs and Sutcliffe. The dynamic duo had 11 opening partnerships of over 100 against Australia including two of the greatest in the history of the game at The Oval in 1926 and Melbourne in 1928/29.

Middle order

Bradman picks himself at three and is also our captain. Joining him in the middle order are Hammond – who other than in the 1928/29 series when he hit 905 runs was mostly overshadowed by the brilliance of Bradman. This leaves us with three tough, doughty fellows in Barrington, Border and Waugh. We opt for the middle of these, partly because as a left-hander he provides balance to the side, but also because he was equally as effective in a losing or winning side.

All-rounder

Choosing between two larger-than-life characters like Miller and Botham is no easy task - especially as we looked on as an awed child at the exploits of the latter in the unforgettable 1981 Ashes. But despite this, Miller seems to have the better of Botham with both bat and ball and also had his opponent’s ability to change a match single-handedly.

Wicketkeeper

Gilchrist’s superior batting versus Knott’s better ability with the gloves? In the end this was quite an easy choice because quite simply Gilchrist had an unbeatable talent for counterpunching when his side were in trouble or turning a positive position into one of utter dominance all in the blink of an eye.

Seamers

Barnes is arguably the greatest bowler ever and offers a potent variety of seam, swing and spin – the latter meaning that we need only select one specialist spinner in our XI. Due to our unashamed love of extreme pace, we opt for Lillee and Larwood over Bedser and Lindwall to join Barnes in our composite XI.

Spin

Having seen the exploits of Warne at first-hand, it is impossible to prefer O’Reilly or Verity above him. For balance, the left-arm spin of Verity is preferred to the leggie Tiger as our 12^th man.

So, our all-time Ashes XI is: Hobbs, Sutcliffe, Bradman (C), Hammond, Border, Miller, Gilchrist, Larwood, Warne, Lillee and Barnes with Verity as 12th man.

Where next?

Hammond and Bradman: Two batting phenomenons

Hobbs and Sutcliffe: Their greatest opening stand

Heroes: Hedley Verity

Ashes 100-1: 19 - A hundred before lunch

 
This week on the first day of the 1st Test between India and New Zealand at Ahmedabad, Virender Sehwag went into lunch 13 runs short of becoming only the fifth batsman in history to hit a hundred before lunch on the first day of a test match.

Other than Majid Khan, who achieved this notable feat against New Zealand at Karachi in 1976-77, all the other instances came in Ashes tests and all were achieved by Australians. And not just any Australians either, but a trio of greats in Victor Trumper, Charlie Macartney and Don Bradman.

Trumper was the first to achieve the feat at Old Trafford in the 4th Test of the classic 1902 series, but surprisingly no mention is made of this in the Wisden report of the match other than to say that Australia reached 173 for one by lunch  - Trumper was unbeaten on 103.

We found more information about Macartney's hundred before lunch on the first day of the Headingley test of 1926. Arthur Carr, the England captain, won the toss and wrongly judged that the damp pitch would be a bowlers paradise under a hot drying sun. When Warren Bardsley was out to the first ball of the match however, it looked like Carr may be right.

Then Carr's luck turned when only four balls later he dropped a simple catch at slip to reprieve Macartney. The Governer General made Carr pay and unleashed an array of strokes to reach 112 not out by lunch in an innings Carr ruefully described as "just about the most wonderful century I have ever seen."  Raymond Robertson-Glasgow described some of Macartney's outrageous late cuts as being "so late they are almost posthumous".

In the 1930 series four years later, Bradman emulated Trumper and Macartney with the most stupendous of his superhuman performances on the tour by smashing 334 at Headingley - the scene of Macartney's carnage in 1926. Like Macartney, Bradman came to the crease early following the dismissal of Archie Jackson and proceeded to launch himself into an England bowling attack that included Larwood, Tate, Tyldesley, Geary and Hammond. Characteristically, Bradman's attack wasn't as brutal as Macartney's as he rarely hit the ball in the air, but it was full of splendid strokes all the same.

Will an Australian or English batsman join this immortal triumvirate in the upcoming series? Well, given the rarity of the feat and modern day over rates, we won't be putting any money on it.

Where next?

Bradman and the summer that changed cricket

All-time Australian Ashes XI - The Openers

10 reasons why Bradman is the greatest of them all