2009 Ashes Preview

The 2009 Ashes contest begins shortly at the home of Welsh cricket, Sophia Gardens in Cardiff. Obviously, there is a lot at stake in the series not least Australia’s tentative place at the peak of the Test cricket world.

Australia will undoubtedly bat first if they win the toss and England will have to bowl very well to keep them under 350 regularly as the batting is strong and deep with Mitchell Johnson, a centurion in his last Test, coming in at eight.

The Australian bowling is less secure and much has been made of their inexperience although it should be remembered that this supposed flaw proved critical against South Africa as their youthful enthusiasm and unfamiliar nature became an accidental advantage.

England are so frightfully inconsistent that it’s difficult to judge their prospects. However, one thing is certain, they’ll need to improve on their performances against the Windies significantly if they are to challenge their old foes over five Test matches.

After the five-nil drubbing last series and their most recent win in South Africa, Australia deserve favouritism but as Graeme Smith and co. discovered in February what the bookies reckon means very little once the batsman take guard and the opening bowlers mark out their run-ups.

Australia may have a few problems but they’ve spent most of the last year playing India and South Africa and that should stand them in good stead against easier opposition. Let’s hope England play somewhere near their potential and in doing so produce a competitive series.