Australia’s top order is a strong and intimidating one, with openers Simon Katich and Shane Watson, both frustrating and attacking some of the world’s best bowling attacks.
Those looking at ashes live betting note that Katich is more than capable of holding up an end for a full day and his solid technique mean any chances given by the opener need to be taken because it could be a while before another one comes along.
Alongside Katich at the top of the order is the intriguing Shane Watson, probably Test cricket’s only fast bowling opener. After drifting in and out of the team as an all-rounder, Watson has found his niche as an aggressive opener from the Matthew Hayden school of how to open the batting.
It gets more intimidating at number three where Ricky Ponting takes his place. If England can bounce Ponting out early in his innings then that in its self could win England the Ashes, according to england cricket betting pundits.
If they don’t then the Aussie captain has the ability to win Test matches single handily and he will do if he gets the chance.
With Australia’s middle order coming under intense pressure from the Aussie media recently, their top order could play a crucial role. If the English bowlers can get through the top order and get at Clarke, Hussey and North at an early stage in the innings then it could give England the advantage in the series. If the Aussie top order can produce their best form then this Ashes series is still very much up for grabs.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
England feel burden of history in Brisbane
They may have had the almost perfect build up but England have to rewrite the history books if they are to get off to the perfect start at the Gabba.
Andrew Strauss' men haven't won at Australia's Queensland home since 1986, when Mike Gatting led England to a seven-wicket win in a series that the tourists would eventually win 2-1.
Since that victory, England have lost four out of five Test matches at Brisbane, with a solitary draw coming in 1998, in fact Australia have not been defeated in a Test match at the ground against any team since a nine-wicket loss to the West Indies in 1988.
If England are to retain the Ashes then a good start is essential, going 1-0 down early on would make their task extremely difficult and the best Ashes odds reflect this.
That was certainly the case four years ago, when Steve Harmison opened up the series with a wide delivery to second slip, setting the tone for a disastrous match and series.
England have certainly worked hard to ensure the same doesn't happen again though, with Andy Flower's meticulous preparations resulting in two wins and a draw from their warm-up games and a team full of in-form players and the Ashes betting suggests they have an excellent chance of clinching the series.
The pitch could yet trip up the England players. The unseasonal wet weather has added a green tinge to a track that has already proved a minefield in a recent domestic Sheffield Shield game and it still isn't clear what Strauss will do should he win the toss on Thursday.
But in terms of preparation England have ticked all the boxes and have given themselves the best possible chance of finally retaining that famous little urn.
Andrew Strauss' men haven't won at Australia's Queensland home since 1986, when Mike Gatting led England to a seven-wicket win in a series that the tourists would eventually win 2-1.
Since that victory, England have lost four out of five Test matches at Brisbane, with a solitary draw coming in 1998, in fact Australia have not been defeated in a Test match at the ground against any team since a nine-wicket loss to the West Indies in 1988.
If England are to retain the Ashes then a good start is essential, going 1-0 down early on would make their task extremely difficult and the best Ashes odds reflect this.
That was certainly the case four years ago, when Steve Harmison opened up the series with a wide delivery to second slip, setting the tone for a disastrous match and series.
England have certainly worked hard to ensure the same doesn't happen again though, with Andy Flower's meticulous preparations resulting in two wins and a draw from their warm-up games and a team full of in-form players and the Ashes betting suggests they have an excellent chance of clinching the series.
The pitch could yet trip up the England players. The unseasonal wet weather has added a green tinge to a track that has already proved a minefield in a recent domestic Sheffield Shield game and it still isn't clear what Strauss will do should he win the toss on Thursday.
But in terms of preparation England have ticked all the boxes and have given themselves the best possible chance of finally retaining that famous little urn.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Strauss jets off in positive mood
The anticipation and excitement ahead of the Ashes moved up a notch when England boarded a plane bound for Australia on Friday. The squad arrived in Perth on Saturday and immediately began training ahead of their first warm up game with Western Australia in November 5th.
England captain Andrew Strauss understandably faced a barrage of questions both before and after his arrival down under, but his responses were just what fans wanted to hear.
Strauss won't get drawn into any petty slanging matches, despite the provocation from some of the more vocal current and ex Australian players. The home side may be most people's Ashes betting tips, but England still seem up for the challenge.
The England skipper knows the challenge that lies ahead but can legitimately be confident given his side's form over the past 18 months as well Australia's poor run of results which have seem them slip below England in the world rankings.
The difference between now and the disastrous 2006/07 series are already apparent. The squad is a lot more settled than the fractured unit that went to Australia four years ago, and the month long warm-up period, incorporating three practice games, is far better than the rushed job England endured in 2006. The best Ashes odds will no doubt reflect this.
But as Strauss rightly mentioned preparation and planning is only part of it. When it comes to the crunch it is up to the players to show they can handle the pressure of an away Ashes series and do what no English team has done since 1987 - retain that precious little urn down under.
England captain Andrew Strauss understandably faced a barrage of questions both before and after his arrival down under, but his responses were just what fans wanted to hear.
Strauss won't get drawn into any petty slanging matches, despite the provocation from some of the more vocal current and ex Australian players. The home side may be most people's Ashes betting tips, but England still seem up for the challenge.
The England skipper knows the challenge that lies ahead but can legitimately be confident given his side's form over the past 18 months as well Australia's poor run of results which have seem them slip below England in the world rankings.
The difference between now and the disastrous 2006/07 series are already apparent. The squad is a lot more settled than the fractured unit that went to Australia four years ago, and the month long warm-up period, incorporating three practice games, is far better than the rushed job England endured in 2006. The best Ashes odds will no doubt reflect this.
But as Strauss rightly mentioned preparation and planning is only part of it. When it comes to the crunch it is up to the players to show they can handle the pressure of an away Ashes series and do what no English team has done since 1987 - retain that precious little urn down under.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Confidence as important as fitness for KP
If England are to stand a chance against Australia in the Ashes series this winter, then they will need their one genuine world-beater to be on top form. In the case of Kevin Pietersen, his game is as dependent on his mental state as his physical one.
Whilst those assessing the Ashes odds are aware that the South African-born batsman has indeed suffered his fair share of niggling injuries, the true source of his power lies not in staying clear of injury – by his own admission he has played through the pain barrier on a number of occasions – but in maintaining the belief that he has it within himself to become one of the true greats of the sport.
Anyone who has ever held a piece of English willow in his hands, armed for a long stand at the crease, knows all about the ghosts that can plague a batsman when he is out in the middle. Pietersen is no stranger to them either, as he showed with his poor run of form in the recent series against Pakistan:
"The sequence (of low scores) does concern me. I'm always looking to try and improve. I've got to look at the positives and drag my confidence up, which has been hammered in the last 18 months. I'm nowhere near the person I used to be but I've got to keep trying to work at it. I don't think the technique is bad at all. I had a look at the footage from the 2006-07 Ashes the other day and compared it to the other week and there wasn't much different at all, if any.”
But when Pietersen’s confidence starts to flow and he finds his rhythm, cricket betting pundits note that he becomes an immovable object and the scourge of any bowling attack in world cricket. Last week he claimed to have re-found himself, which can only be great for the travelling Barmy Army, and the worst possible news for Ricky Ponting and his men. There has been plenty Down Under who have made the bold call of naming Pietersen as one of England’s weak links, that sort of pressure usually brings out the best in the batsman and Aussie can’t say they don’t know what that feels like.
Whilst those assessing the Ashes odds are aware that the South African-born batsman has indeed suffered his fair share of niggling injuries, the true source of his power lies not in staying clear of injury – by his own admission he has played through the pain barrier on a number of occasions – but in maintaining the belief that he has it within himself to become one of the true greats of the sport.
Anyone who has ever held a piece of English willow in his hands, armed for a long stand at the crease, knows all about the ghosts that can plague a batsman when he is out in the middle. Pietersen is no stranger to them either, as he showed with his poor run of form in the recent series against Pakistan:
"The sequence (of low scores) does concern me. I'm always looking to try and improve. I've got to look at the positives and drag my confidence up, which has been hammered in the last 18 months. I'm nowhere near the person I used to be but I've got to keep trying to work at it. I don't think the technique is bad at all. I had a look at the footage from the 2006-07 Ashes the other day and compared it to the other week and there wasn't much different at all, if any.”
But when Pietersen’s confidence starts to flow and he finds his rhythm, cricket betting pundits note that he becomes an immovable object and the scourge of any bowling attack in world cricket. Last week he claimed to have re-found himself, which can only be great for the travelling Barmy Army, and the worst possible news for Ricky Ponting and his men. There has been plenty Down Under who have made the bold call of naming Pietersen as one of England’s weak links, that sort of pressure usually brings out the best in the batsman and Aussie can’t say they don’t know what that feels like.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Aussie's ponder spin issue
The Gabba in Brisbane may solve what could be a tough decision the Australian selectors. With the pitch being so fast-bowler friendly, it looks as though the Aussie's may decide to leave out a spinner and just pack their bowling attack with pace. That would mean under-fire off-spinner Nathan Hauritz would be left out and an extra fast bowler brought in.
After a tough year for the spinner, there has been talk down under that Hauritz should be dropped in favour of Steve Smith, who has mostly been used in the one-day side. That decision may be delayed until the second Test in Adelaide, when the spinners will have more of a say. The Aussie's shouldn't be too hasty in dismissing the idea of spin in Brisbane, the extra bounce the pitch generates could work to Hauritz's style. Choosing the wrong team could have a massive impact on the Ashes cricket betting.
The lack of bounce in India may have been one of the reasons behind Hauritz's poor performances during the recent India series, where the 29-year-old only took six wickets in the two Test matches and put in another poor display in the one day loss. Earlier in the year Hauritz showed what he can do on Aussie pitches by finishing the Pakistan series as the top wicket taker. He will be hoping to be given the chance to prove his quality again when Australia return from the so far disastrous tour of India. Despite this, the Ashes cricket odds still make them strong favourites.
One thing is guaranteed though, whether or not the Aussie's go for a spinner when the Ashes starts next month, England will be certain to play their spinner, Graeme Swann.
After a tough year for the spinner, there has been talk down under that Hauritz should be dropped in favour of Steve Smith, who has mostly been used in the one-day side. That decision may be delayed until the second Test in Adelaide, when the spinners will have more of a say. The Aussie's shouldn't be too hasty in dismissing the idea of spin in Brisbane, the extra bounce the pitch generates could work to Hauritz's style. Choosing the wrong team could have a massive impact on the Ashes cricket betting.
The lack of bounce in India may have been one of the reasons behind Hauritz's poor performances during the recent India series, where the 29-year-old only took six wickets in the two Test matches and put in another poor display in the one day loss. Earlier in the year Hauritz showed what he can do on Aussie pitches by finishing the Pakistan series as the top wicket taker. He will be hoping to be given the chance to prove his quality again when Australia return from the so far disastrous tour of India. Despite this, the Ashes cricket odds still make them strong favourites.
One thing is guaranteed though, whether or not the Aussie's go for a spinner when the Ashes starts next month, England will be certain to play their spinner, Graeme Swann.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Anderson handed injury blow
Although no-one is accusing Chris Tremlett of deliberately setting out to break James Anderson's ribs when the two were sparing in England's pre-Ashes training camp in Germany, the 6'7" bowler may have given himself a fighting chance of starting next month's opening Test in Brisbane.
If Anderson misses out with the injury then Tremlett will most probably battle it out with Tim Bresnan for the third seamer position. Anyone looking for Ashes betting tips on the top England bowler should bear this in mind.
The training camp was organised as a chance for the England squad to gel before embarking on a long tour of Australia. The ECB may be regretting that decision now, although training accidents can and do happen at any time.
Early reports suggested that Anderson would be out for the first two tests but the ECB have dismissed this, claiming the bowler is still in contention for the opening match, which starts on the 25th of November in Brisbane.
Although it wouldn't be the end of the world if Anderson was missing from the opening test, the Ashes betting suggests England's best hopes of winning their first series on Australian soil in 24 years are if the Lancashire bowler is fully fit and ready.
Anderson is on course to pass 200 Test wickets during the Ashes and will be desperate to get going straight away. Anderson has had another good year for England, with the highlight coming in the opening Test against Pakistan in the now infamous series this summer where he picked up career-best match figures of 11-71.
One thing's for sure though, Australia will fancy their chances much more if Anderson is missing from the opening team sheet.
If Anderson misses out with the injury then Tremlett will most probably battle it out with Tim Bresnan for the third seamer position. Anyone looking for Ashes betting tips on the top England bowler should bear this in mind.
The training camp was organised as a chance for the England squad to gel before embarking on a long tour of Australia. The ECB may be regretting that decision now, although training accidents can and do happen at any time.
Early reports suggested that Anderson would be out for the first two tests but the ECB have dismissed this, claiming the bowler is still in contention for the opening match, which starts on the 25th of November in Brisbane.
Although it wouldn't be the end of the world if Anderson was missing from the opening test, the Ashes betting suggests England's best hopes of winning their first series on Australian soil in 24 years are if the Lancashire bowler is fully fit and ready.
Anderson is on course to pass 200 Test wickets during the Ashes and will be desperate to get going straight away. Anderson has had another good year for England, with the highlight coming in the opening Test against Pakistan in the now infamous series this summer where he picked up career-best match figures of 11-71.
One thing's for sure though, Australia will fancy their chances much more if Anderson is missing from the opening team sheet.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Top spinners
Spin will play a crucial role in the forthcoming Ashes series. This prominence of the slow men seemed unthinkable when Shane Warne retired to leave a massive hole in Australia’s bowling stocks and it is some time since an English tweaker made an impact downunder.
However, the rapid development of Nathan Hauritz and Graeme Swann over the last 18 months means it is no exaggeration to say they are the key bowlers on each side. Hauritz’s recent travails in India have prompted many to install England as favourites in the basis of this private duel.
Hauritz took six wickets at 65 in the two-Test series on the subcontinent, but Cricket Betting pundits are first to admit that this hardly represents a bad patch. The masterful batting of Sachin Tendulkar and co has blunted many a visiting spin attack and Hauritz was making his comeback after a long injury lay-off.
His form before the foot injury struck was impressive. Hauritz took 29 wickets in his six home Tests last winter and was the match-winning bowler in the three-match series against Pakistan. He knows how to get the best out of Australian wickets and was successful in last year’s Ashes before being harshly dropped.
However, Swann’s development has been even more impressive. He is by far the highest wicket-taker in Tests this year and as the world’s best spin bowler deserves to be the focal point of his team’s attack. He can contain and attack and is now
experienced enough to deal with the expected Aussie plan to attack him.
Only once has an English spinner taken five wickets in an innings downunder in the last three tours and some see it as a sign of the pace bowlers’ weakness that spin is England’s main weapon. Swann is indeed the visitors’ biggest threat, and with good reason. More five wicket hauls should follow and if he out bowls Hauritz, then the Cricket Odds could well back the urn to stay in English hands.
However, the rapid development of Nathan Hauritz and Graeme Swann over the last 18 months means it is no exaggeration to say they are the key bowlers on each side. Hauritz’s recent travails in India have prompted many to install England as favourites in the basis of this private duel.
Hauritz took six wickets at 65 in the two-Test series on the subcontinent, but Cricket Betting pundits are first to admit that this hardly represents a bad patch. The masterful batting of Sachin Tendulkar and co has blunted many a visiting spin attack and Hauritz was making his comeback after a long injury lay-off.
His form before the foot injury struck was impressive. Hauritz took 29 wickets in his six home Tests last winter and was the match-winning bowler in the three-match series against Pakistan. He knows how to get the best out of Australian wickets and was successful in last year’s Ashes before being harshly dropped.
However, Swann’s development has been even more impressive. He is by far the highest wicket-taker in Tests this year and as the world’s best spin bowler deserves to be the focal point of his team’s attack. He can contain and attack and is now
experienced enough to deal with the expected Aussie plan to attack him.
Only once has an English spinner taken five wickets in an innings downunder in the last three tours and some see it as a sign of the pace bowlers’ weakness that spin is England’s main weapon. Swann is indeed the visitors’ biggest threat, and with good reason. More five wicket hauls should follow and if he out bowls Hauritz, then the Cricket Odds could well back the urn to stay in English hands.
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