India have done a number on the Aussies

Australia do have a good batting line up though, much better than ours.

In what respect?
Ponting is their only stand-out batsman for me and even he appears to be waning a little. Clarke and Hussey are class batmsen but so are Strauss, Trott and Pietersen for us.

I think they are more consistent, have better techniques and score more heavier than us. They have just lost 2-0 in India but India on home ground is probably as tough as it gets and there was not much between them.

They are 5th in the world now, we are 4th.

The first test is critical for us. If we can get at least a draw we should improve as the series progresses. I think Swann could have a big impact in the later tests. We just need to stop them getting the early momentum.

Well considering the momentum swung their way after Harmison's 1st delivery to 2nd slip last time, if we're still in it after day one it will be a bonus

I agree, we could go as far as to say this could be 'Swann's Ashes' he is that important to us. I really hope he stays fit.

I'd say we're about neck and neck with them in that department, and our bowling's slightly better.

Pietersen, Cook and Collingwood may be out of form but so are Clarke, North and Hussey.

What we saw in India were some familiar failings - e.g. batsmen getting starts and not pushing on - but also some unfamiliar ones (failing to master reverse swing with the old ball, lower order collapses).

The Penguin wrote:I'd say we're about neck and neck with them in that department, and our bowling's slightly better. Pietersen, Cook and Collingwood may be out of form but so are Clarke, North and Hussey. What we saw in India were some familiar failings - e.g. batsmen getting starts and not pushing on - but also some unfamiliar ones (failing to master reverse swing with the old ball, lower order collapses). 100% agree with that Sir. We have 2 of the 3 batsmen with the highest batting average since the end of the 2009 Ashes (of the 2 teams involved) in Bell (65.36) number 1 and Trott (52.36) in 3rd behind Katich (55.05). We've also scored more centuries as a batting unit than them, and that doesnt include Broad's century neither! Though this news isn't what we wanted to hear... http://www.cricinfo.com/the-ashes-2010- ... 81971.html

The Penguin wrote:I'd say we're about neck and neck with them in that department, and our bowling's slightly better. Pietersen, Cook and Collingwood may be out of form but so are Clarke, North and Hussey. What we saw in India were some familiar failings - e.g. batsmen getting starts and not pushing on - but also some unfamiliar ones (failing to master reverse swing with the old ball, lower order collapses). 100% agree with that Sir. We have 2 of the 3 batsmen with the highest batting average since the end of the 2009 Ashes (of the 2 teams involved) in Bell (65.36) number 1 and Trott (52.36) in 3rd behind Katich (55.05). We've also scored more centuries as a batting unit than them, and that doesnt include Broad's century neither! Though this news isn't what we wanted to hear... http://www.cricinfo.com/the-ashes-2010- ... 81971.html

Nice stats, but they need to be weighted against the quality of the opposition IMO - two series against Bangladesh are good average padders...

Ordsall Quays Red wrote:100% agree with that Sir. We have 2 of the 3 batsmen with the highest batting average since the end of the 2009 Ashes (of the 2 teams involved) in Bell (65.36) number 1 and Trott (52.36) in 3rd behind Katich (55.05). We've also scored more centuries as a batting unit than them, and that doesnt include Broad's century neither! Though this news isn't what we wanted to hear... http://www.cricinfo.com/the-ashes-2010- ... 81971.html its probabaly fair to say that the aussie batsman are better on home turf too - would like to see some stats to back this up

Ordsall Quays Red wrote:100% agree with that Sir. We have 2 of the 3 batsmen with the highest batting average since the end of the 2009 Ashes (of the 2 teams involved) in Bell (65.36) number 1 and Trott (52.36) in 3rd behind Katich (55.05). We've also scored more centuries as a batting unit than them, and that doesnt include Broad's century neither! Though this news isn't what we wanted to hear... http://www.cricinfo.com/the-ashes-2010- ... 81971.html its probabaly fair to say that the aussie batsman are better on home turf too - would like to see some stats to back this up

England - 4 v Bangladesh, 4 v Pakistan, 4 v South Africa (6 home, 6 away)
Australia - 3 v West Indies, 5 v Pakistan, 2 v New Zealand, 2 v India (6 home, 6 away)

Not too much difference in the long run I'd say.