So it's here...The Ashes Down Under officially begins tonight (UK time)...what is everyone's plans for watching it? Personally I'll be up watching the 1st session and then to bed, before waking up at 7.30 to catch the last hour of play! It will be strange not being able to watch it as I was a tax dodging student in 10/11, so late nights weren't an issue!
A good article on the bbc by Simon Hughes on where he believes The Ashes will be won and lost (
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/24961171).
Major's prediction: A lot has been made of the make up of the sides, I think England will go Cook (c), Carberry, Trott, KP (100th test match), Bell, Root, Prior (wk) (Bairstow if Prior doesn't make it), Broad, Swann, Anderson, Tremlett...lets hope Tremlett picks up where he left off 3 years ago in Australia. Australia on the other hand I think will go Rogers, Warner, Watson, Clarke, Smith, Bailey, Haddin (wk), Johnson, Siddle, Harris, Lyon.
I think we'll see Cook and Trott return to form with the bat, and I'd really like to see The Barmy Army tuck into Mitchell Johnson early, especially as it seems the Aussies have placed a massive importance on him being the difference maker. I think KP will be top run scorer for England, followed closely by Cook, and Anderson will be the top wicket taker.
Selected odds (SkyBet): Series winner - Australia 6/4, Draw 9/2, England 11/10. Most runs - KP 100/30, Cook 11/4, Bell/Trott 4/1. Most Wickets - Anderson 15/8, Broad 11/4, Swann 3/1. Specials: Wide or no ball 1st ball of the series 16/1, Root to take Warner's wicket 50/1 and England to win Ashes 3-1 again 8/1.
Series prediction: Have to go with England to win out there, I think Australia will pose a tougher opposition than 3 years ago over there but England should have enough to bring the urn home once more...England 2-1 Australia!!!
