Who will win the 2006 Ashes and why?

Question

Who or what strategy will bring their country to glory?

Answer 1

I think it will be a tough and gritty series for both teams. Having said that, England will be suffering for the lack of Simon Jones and Michael Vaughan, who were both key players last time. Also, the late loss of Tresco will damage their chances. Australia is a tough tour, and the hard pitches have a habit of taking their toll on visiting bowlers. Harmison and Flintoff are both recovering from injuries, but will need to bowl long spells which could take their toll.
However, the England team are young and enthusiastic, which will give them plenty of determination. They also have plenty of talent in KP, Flintoff, Strauss etc.
Australia though, I feel, have just too much experience. Yourself, and Hayden, when you two get going build awesome platforms for the team to go onto big totals. Punter is in the best form of his life and has scored 1483 runs at 78 including 8 tons since the Ashes. If he gets going, We should be scoring 500+ scores. Then Hussey, well what a talent. Marto has a doubt but with Clarke and Jacques both pressing for a spot the middle should fire more than last year. Gilchrist doesn't even need a mention, except to say that Englands strategy of bowling around the wicket and moving it away shouldn't work as well in Oz as the extra bounce should give his the chance to cut and pull more often, which we all know he does with devestating effect. Brett Lee, McGrath and Warney will all fire up and do the job, and whoever gets the nod out of Watson, Clark, Tait or Johnson will be very keen to impress, and with the benefit of the extra bounce at home, the youngsters should bowl fast, and make life tough for England's inexperienced batsmen.
I think it will be closer than a lot of people back home will be thinking. I think the home crowds, and the conditions will just be a little too much for such a young inexperienced England team. Don't worry, there are plenty of Aussies over here in London who will be sitting up late at night and cheering you boys along, and we are taking the stick from the Poms for you, so get stuck in, good luck, and here's to a summer of runs for you boys.
Aus to win 2-1.

Answer 2

To be honest I think Australia will win the Ashes. I don't think the Aussies will adopt anything different from what they've been doing so well over the last decade or so. Which is to bowl well, bat well, and catch the ball. Yes, it's that simple.

England, for all they've improved, lack the consistency to match the Aussies throughout this five match series. There will be batsman who get centuries, or bowlers who do well, but as a team the English won't sustain the high-levels that the Aussies will. Out of the twelve tests Australia have played coming into this series they've won eleven. England don't have this consistency.

I hope England can be competitive, and there aren't the embarrassing scenes of batsman trudging off after playing stupid shots, or bowlers with their hands on their hips looking angry as yet another ball disappears for four (or six). If England compete it will be a cracking series.

For the record I'm English. I'm not being negative about my team, just honest.

Answer 3

well i think England and Australia both have a great chance of winning, both teams are strong and when its concerning the ashes its an extremely competitive atmosphere. Its really in the balance, looking at confidence levels I would say Australia have the upper hand, why? Well they're number 1. But having made that point England won the ashes 2 years ago, I watched every test and I will admit even though I'm english that the Australian side looked weak and not to its best. It ought to be a real thriller either way and I just hope injuries to players from both teams doesn't spoil the contest. Good luck to England and Australia, and oh yeah hopefully the weather will be perfect too, cannot forget mother nature can we....Australia do have an upper hand being at home and well Shane Warne seems really fired up and hungry for wickets (yikes). Cannot wait for it to start really

Answer 4

Well only a couple of hours to go until the first ball is bowled. Who will win? On paper you would have to fancy the Aussies, their backyard and possibly a greater ticket allocation ...not that the ACB for a minute thought a partisan crowd might influence the game or that more Brits in the country might add a welcome boost the local economy. The Aussie batting of 2005 seems to have rectified itself, consist performances and a settled team. The bookies favorite is the Aussies. That said England have some key match winners in their team (Flintoff, KP, Strauss, Harmison, Hoggard) backed up with emerging talent in Cook, Bell, Mammood the Monty factor? and the dependable Collingwood who despite a tough one time opportunity against the Aussies will, I think, fair well in Oz. There are some concerns about the Aussies bowling attack. In Warne they have arguably the most talented cricketer that has walked on this planet and in the metronomic McGrath probably the best bowling pairing in the world. However question marks remain about fitness (McGrath) and the Aussie side are with a few exceptions the other side of 30, take Warne- McGrath out of the equation and you possibly question where 20 wickets might come from and can you expect them to bowl 30+ overs in Brisbane, assuming England bat that long? The ACB selectors it seems, have yet to decided on the three seamers + Warne that they will take to the Test. Without Watson the side looks slightly top heavy with batters and there is no one who you could expect to get through 10 - 15 overs per innings - I'm sure the POMs hope Ponting trundles up! In Flintoff England have a shrewd captain who has a knack of pulling it off when it matter and the backs are at the wall. England have a game plan against the Aussie top six, all of whom were worked out in England. Aussie fans may argue that English conditions, English Dukes cricket balls, English crowd played their part then. That aside batting deficiencies were exposed Hayden, Langer - susceptible to the ball coming back. Ponting plays with hard hands early on, Clarke M - not comfortable against raw pace (See Harmison impaling Jones repeatedly with Clarks' middle stump Ashes 2005) Gilchrist naturally agressive from the off so you would say, pin him down and we have a chance. England know what they are facing, give any of them an inch and they will take five miles. Verdict:- It pains me just a little to say, 2-1 Aussie, due to home advantage and the Warne factor. But I don't think it will be the walk in the park, people think it will be. Lets hope its an even greater series than '05 played in the same spirit. A Scottish cricket fan whose spent just a wee bit of time in Oz

Answer 5

Gooday Justin, Unfortunately I'm Stuck Back Here In England For The Second Year Running. I Wish I Could Be There At Least For The Games Played At SCG Mate. I Think England Will Have A Hard Time With Some Key Players Missing But Australia Shouldn't Underestimate Their Tenacity. That Aside I Believe Australia Will Regain The Ashes At Home, Pride Combined With Skill And Virtuosity Of The Players Will Do Us All Proud.
GO Australia And God Bless Us Every One.

Answer 6

Justin first can i say hello
second can i say in a good way i hope you have a terrible ashes!
(in a good way)

I think it will be a close run affair this series and possibly a draw
but the we (England will defiantly hold the ashes)

i can really seeing Monty getting at you tale enders which is something that we could really do last time out and we had some hairy moments. and if harmison and flintoff hit form bowling and flintoff peaterson with the bat i feel what ever you key batters lay down we can beat. we are no question the underdog down under, but always beware the underdog because when backed into a corner there is only one way to go!

Just kidding about the bad series gag, we have to beat the best and you are one of the best s i hope you have an amazing series and we still beat you!

Answer 7

The presumption is that the Ozzies will win and, it is a safe one. However, I do not think that the balance in the English team is that bad, that the 'Poms' will keel over. Anything can happen and the series should be an exciting and well fought one. As an Oz living in London for the past decade I feel a slight desire for it go down to the wire with Perth being the key test ( home town )..The key will be the bowling, not the batting and so I give the home side the advantage. Their bowling is just that little bit better,and their shear will to win will prove too tough to cope with.

Answer 8

The team that will win the ashes is the best side on the day. i hope the Aussie win because you have been good as a team this year and i wish you all the best. it depends on the day and how well each team plays on that day good luck. the strategy will be i believe is play your best we are all so proud of you anyway. the whole team will bring the country to glory

Answer 9

There are two main questions as to who will win.

Will the age of the Australia team play any part?
Will the lack of experience of some of the English play a part.

I believe that if the English and the Australian sides can play to their full capabilities then it is a very difficult call.

The simple answer though is:

If a team suffers a major injury setback then the opposition will win.

I believe the last two Ashes series were both decided on injuries.

Due to all the above, England will win by one test. Probably 2-1

Answer 10

Who will win the 2006 Ashes and why is the $64 million question and the answer is easy.....Australia.

And why.... there are quite a few reasons why. The main answer that I can see is that the Aussies have a greater passion to win back the Ashes and keep them here on home soil.

I feel that this will summer will be a great season of cricket and one that we have not seen for some time. I look forward to watching our boys knocking up some serious runs and collecting a number of wickets.

Answer 11

G'day Justin,

I think the Aussie boys will win this year, it will be great to have the bragging rights back in Australia!

The key strategy is to use the wickets to our favour, Australian pitches have a lot of character and take time to master (bowling or batting). With the likes of you, Pointing and Hussey smashing the cherry around the ground over after over will be demoralising (particularly for Harmison).

Another awesome element of our game will be getting Warne to bowl out the last day, the Poms struggled against him in England and will find it harder again here. I'm sure this will be backed up by excellent pace bowling from Lee and McGrath.

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!!
Oi!! Oi!! Oi!!
Good Luck!