Is it too early to start talking about the 'A' word?

[Tom Shines]

With Australia's bowling attack looking as promising as it has since the days of McGrath Warne Gillespie Lee Kasprowicz Bichel, with Australia dominating (an admittedly disappointing) Indian team full of batting talent, and with the Poms going down by an innings in Dubai against the Pakis...

Are we now a chance of reclaiming the Ashes at first attempt?

It might be a bit too early to think so, but I will admit that I haven't been this excited watching us play for a long time — whether it's Clarke's refreshing captaincy, D. Warner going absolutely batshit, or Pattinson/Hilfy (and even Shittle) throwing the ball up there and getting wickets.

 

[TheParraboy]

I think guys like Hilfy are gonna destroy the poms if he can maintain his fitness and form, same as Siddle.

Id like to see out batting be a bit more consistant though. Plus someone like Mathew Wade needs to come into the side well before the ashes

But first things first, we need to beat WI real well. Then need to touch up SA and SL on home soil

 

[aussies1st]

As long as we maintain our fast bowling depth then we just need to sort that batting depth.

 

[hineyrulz]

Our bowling will be fine, but our batting still needs some work.

 

[yappy]

Baby steps.

We are still probably quite a way from finalising what our best attack will be by then. We've had some great young guys stand up when given a chance and a couple of older (but not old) guys in Siddle and Hilfenhaus have been transformed. I also think a few more young guys like Hazelwood (of we can get him fit) and Cutting will get some test cricket before then. Harris though is a longish shot. So certainly very very encouraging, but lets not get ahead of ourselves.

Warner obviously is also exciting and Cowan and him could be the right combo for the next few years. Add in Clarke's return to batting form and excellent captaincy and we've got a few things that look like they're going right.

On the other hand still big question marks over the old men in the middle order. India are paying dearly for that. Hundreds on a road in Sydney don't guarantee anything in England in 18 months time. Also Marsh doesn't fill me with confidence, Haddin is done (but we do have excellent replacements), and what role Watson will play is still up in the air. Also Lyon has to progress further.

I wouldn't be looking any further than the Caribbean at this point and trying to blood a new keeper and get more tests in guys like Warner, Cowan, Marsh, Uzi, Pattinson, Cummins, Starc, Lyon and hopefully debut Wade and maybe even a Hazelwood/Cutting depending on injuries and O'Keefe depending on Lyon. Long way to go yet before we can challenge for No.1 and most importantly hold on to it.

 

[Patorick]

Still not convinced our batsman can handle their bowlers swing, time will tell though.

Hope Khawaja is back in the team by then, too.

 

[aussies1st]

Cowan is probably our best hope for playing swing bowling in the side atm. Hussey would be one but he would be lucky to be there plus his record ain't crash hot on swinging decks.

 

[Valheru]

Way to early to expect a favourable result in England.

As others have said we still have a ways to go plus England always play bad on the subcontinent. TBH I think we will lose the series there and win back home.

 

[IanG]

Maybe they should also send them to play county cricket to get use to the Duke balls too. That's another factor

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

We almost beat them over there with Johnson I think we'll be alright now he's gone!!

 

[Fast Eddie]

It was about 6 weeks ago you lost a Test match against New Zealand on home soil and everything was in dire straits apperantly. The bowling attack looks pretty good but the series isn't till over a year away, Hilfenhaus went from good Test bowler to non effective in that kinda space of time, we all know Siddles history and then Pattinson who knows with injury. The batsmen still don't impress me that much and can look very brittle once you get a couple of wickets, so if the ball is swinging and seamin round in England the current batsmen wouldn't exactly inspire hope if I was an Australian fan. It comes down to if England slide, because if England stay at their current level (bar this loss to Pakistan) or close to it then I'd expect them to win the series at home.

 

[IanG]

Just a glitch that one. In fact it'll probably only be remembered cause Kiwis will keep reminding us of it

 

[Fast Eddie]

How do you know? If anything it cemented that your batting line up has problems with collapsing.

 

[Matt23]

How do you know? If anything it cemented that your batting line up has problems with collapsing.

Hopefully that won't be a problem for too much longer, Langer's thinking of moving on.

 

[yappy]

Just a glitch that one. In fact it'll probably only be remembered cause Kiwis will keep reminding us of it

It's about time they had something to replace T Chappell v B McKechnie as something to remind us about.

 

[aussies1st]

Hopefully that won't be a problem for too much longer, Langer's thinking of moving on.

I hope this isn't a joke.

 

[Danish]

Well I'm hoping for a good result as I'm heading over to watch it

 

[Red Bear]

We almost beat them over there with Johnson I think we'll be alright now he's gone!!

Both teams were shit at that point. Poms improved from there and we went backwards (although we seem to be on the improve again now).

Big questions over our batting as well, especially with Ponting Hussey and Haddin around. The pom bowlers cleaned us up in our backyard, in their own conditions will be very very tough to beat.

Still, a lot can happen in 18 months

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

What gives me hope is that they absolutely creamed us last year in near perfect batting conditions and against pathetic bowling so going over there should be a better proposition for our bowlers who are either improved or fresh new blood with talent.

Haddin won't be there. I really can't see Ponting or Hussey being there either.

18 months is too far out to worry about the Ashes with the Windies, Sri Lanka, South Africa and not sure who we ply between SL and the Ashes.

 

[yappy]

Tour India before the Ashes