The image is still there. Burnt into the brain. The sight of England’s captain Michael Vaughan, surrounded by his laughing men, holding up the replica urn at The Oval in September 2005.
It was only seven years ago, but it’s now difficult to remember that there was once a great Australian side that ripped the English apart on their lovely ovals.
The English grounds, nestled in their quaint surroundings, were once a joy to behold. Not now.
The 2005 series was one of the great Ashes contests, which made it worse to lose. The next English series in 2009 produced another close fought battle, and another heartbreaking loss.
I had a sense of foreboding about 2005. My fears were initially allayed by McGrath’s destructive performance at Lord’s in the first Test.
Then, on the morning of the second test at Edgbaston, he stepped on a cricket ball while playing a casual game of rugby (or was it league? Some have said it was soccer, others Aussie rules) and ruined his ankle.
But Lee and Kasprowicz (replicating the heroics of Border and Thompson in 1983) almost stole the match with a magnificent last wicket stand of 59, only for Kasprowicz to be incorrectly given out 3 runs short of victory.
The third Test at Old Trafford was remarkable, firstly, for the simultaneous blossoming of the previously insipid Vaughan (scoring 166 in quick time ) and the mysterious disintegration of Jason Gillespie (1/114 off 19 overs. In the 2nd innings he was removed permanently after conceding 23 runs in 4 overs).
And secondly, Lee – in conjunction this time with McGrath – had to survive 4 overs to save the match.
With the series at 1-1 England scraped home by 3 wickets in the fourth Test. The draw at The Oval gave them the Ashes.
England haven’t been doing very well lately. They were abysmal against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates, and drew the series in Sri Lanka.
However I watched them against the West Indies in the first Test at Lords, and they each had the smug smile of a winner – the sort that can quickly transform into a contemptuous scowl when the opposition tries to assert itself. I’d seen the expression before, of course, in our own dominant teams.
As a side note, they were supplying a constant stream of young athletic substitute fielders – Broad went off after tweaking something delicate in his boyish body – which for the commentators brought back mirthful memories (and footage) of an angry Ponting being run out by substitute Gary Pratt at Trent Bridge in 2005.
Comprising three excellent bowlers who can also bat (Broad 28 avg, Bresnan 40 avg and Swann 21 avg) and our nemesis James Anderson, this English outfit can be a formidable one.
There’s no doubt that our batsmen will struggle in England against those bowlers but I believe our attack can be equally lethal.
Pattinson and Cummins can move the ball at real pace which will trouble Strauss and Cook. Harris and Hilfenhaus are ideally suited to English conditions and Siddle has developed greater control and movement since returning from injury.
As with the English, most are handy batsmen and if this series is as close as 2005 and 2009 the tailenders may prove the difference.
Let’s hope that on August 25th 2013, The Oval once again becomes the setting for an Australian celebration.
Lolly
Guest
Same here. I expect the Aussies to get thumped. The batting is too fragile by half.
Morning Son
Guest
Well, I hope people won't hold their breath about us regaining the Ashes. Because, unless Ponting/Hussey make the tour and have massive series, I really can't see our batting having enough class to combat the English bowlers.
Johnno
Guest
Will yes is not test cricket, many fans seem to miss that point. The ashes is just a series that plays test cricket. But sometimes now with the marketing the ashes is marketed as if it is the only test cricket that exists and thrives.
Will
Guest
The ashes is more than a year away, isn't a bit too soon to start talking about the series? Still have rubbers against SA, India and Sri Lanka.
Adam Ludeke
Roar Pro
Hate to say it, but the poms are much more settled lineup than we are. Nothing is ever certain obviously, but how many of the current XI will be there for the first test next year? Going through the team as it stands I can only find four real certainties if things go to plan: 1. Warner 5. Clarke 6. Watson 11. Lyon Cowan has been scratchy, Ponting (despite his desire) and Hussey might not make it because of age and form, Haddin/Wade/Paine is wide open... and sure, we have some very good pace bowlers, but I don't think there's an established pecking order yet.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Aussies play 10 tests before the Ashes so a lot might happen before the composition of the team is known. Also the England vs SA should provide indicators on how the english might fare against the Aussies, and the SAs for that matter. Strauss is showing his age and Pietersen is approaching the age of uncertainty and they still don't have a number 6. Their bowling has so much depth it's not funny. They will certainly hold their own. The SAs are a bit similar I reckon. Outstanding bowlers, outstanding but vulernable bats. I find it hard to envisage the Australian top 6 who last played in the West Indies to be the same come the first test in England. Not just the top 3 but the bottom three who were not so hot in the last two defeats against quality seam bowling. Australian bowling going nicely.
jameswm
Guest
The Aussie need a good performance out of their top order. If they get this, the Ashes are well within their grasp. Cummins and Patto at full fitness bowl fast accurate outies with a good short ball. Siddle is a tough bowler when he bowls fuller. He hits the spot at 144kmh all day and has started getting some reasonably consistent outswing. Harris is a top bowler, moving it both ways, and maybe he can play 2-3 of the tests. I don't mind a bit of rotation. And Hilfy is our modern day Alderman, and has his mojo back. With no Mitchell Johnson, they bowl really well as a group, and are close to the equal of what England can offer. I think the two top orders will win the series, and I don't like the look of the Aussie one.
jameswm
Guest
Yes, I've often thought after a test that we beat ourselves.
Johnno
Guest
well peeko it is about spreading the game. And 2 you can make tempory seating anyway. Were you peeko against the ashes test in 2009 being played at the village green style small ground that is sophia gardens at cardiff. I loved the atmosphere it was really a match for the people the real people not the corparates.
peeeko
Roar Guru
Please forward these suggestions to cricket Australia . They need a good laugh. The Barmy army would barely fit into canberra's manuka oval. Darwin has a population of about the seating capacity of the mcg
Tom callaghan
Guest
You did but after making derogatory comments about Swann and Panesar. Wouldn't you say swing is as important as express pace in England?
Brendon
Guest
Didnt I just say pace bowlers will dominate 2013?
Tom callaghan
Guest
Brendan, you have not commented on the threatening potential of Anderson,Broad,Bresnan, Trmlett, Onions, Finn....
Brendon
Guest
Because Panesar's record against Australia is so good? 45 average has the Australian batsmen in FEAR of Monty. Swann's average of 40 is no threat either. Because of Warne people tend to overstate the influence of spin in the last 40 years in Ashes contests Outside of Warne pace bowlers have dominated the Ashes. Snow, Lillee, Thompson, Willis, Botham, Alderman, McDermott, McGrath, Anderson etc . Spin, outside the Oval, will not be a major factor in 2013.
Bob
Guest
There should be some low scores this series. Both teams have some seriously good bowlers and the batting (especially Australia's) has been fragile over the past 2 seasons. Hopefully Warner will keep improving. he could be dangerous on the small English grounds. A couple of innings like the one in Perth could turn the series.
Tom callaghan
Guest
How many Australian bowlers are in the world's top five? I believe that there are three English bowlers in that illustrious company. I reckon Onions, Tremlet and Finn are also better than Australia's attack and that there are eight English bowlers, good for all conditions, who will be licking their lips in anticipation of the Australian tour in 2013 I forgot to mention Panesar!
Garfield Robinson
Guest
This current Australian test side would be fairly easily overcome by Australia. The English batting is much better with superior top order and lower order. The Aussie openers will be easily put away, as will Ponting if he is still there. The have the advantage in almost every department of the game.
Disco
Roar Guru
Quite so. The bowling in UAE was anything but 'abysmal'. "They each had the smug smile of a winner". I suppose none of the Aussies dared to play with a smile on the face in the West Indies. We'll soon see how "lethal" Australia's seamers are come the end the year. Ponting - angry? Never!
Viscount Crouchback
Guest
It should be a fine Ashes. England's bowling performances during the winter were actually very good - indeed, consistently excellent (as they have been for about three years now). It was their batting against quality spin in spin-friendly conditions that let them down terribly. Neither quality Australian spin nor spin-friendly conditions are likely in 2013.
Johnno
Guest
Great sports event the ASHES. Test cricket's last true marquee event at present now the west indies have faded. It is the great hope that lights the fire in my eyes the only test cricket I watch now the Ashes, period. I only casually flick and watch 5 minutes here or there or an over here of there of other test matches now. But some facts about the ashes i wrote in another comment , and it is about scheduling. I am not a tradionilIst in the sense. I i believe in progress on all levels, and tradition stifles neccasary changes and advancements in sport and in life. Many people fear change i love change and always want to change and advance and not look back. Modernation is great 100%. And i embrace the modern world and globalisation and modernisation . I love history but don't like going backwards or doing things they way they were, or used to be. Australia is a much better nation to live in than the 1980's, or 70's , or 60's, or 50's, on every level. So we must always look forwad and look to change every day and all the time change change change,. To me i have never liked or approved of the word the word traditonislist. It usually is an excuse for a group to have power or control over something or a monopoly, as the word tradition is manipulated to suit agendas mainly groups, or governments, or sports boards, or media stations want to make money. So with the ashes schedule 2013 I am happy Durham has got a test match and edgbaston not. -I loved the village green atmphosphere small suburban park atmpshophere of sofhia gardens just as much if not more than a big MCG crowd on boxing day. -I am a big believer in expansion and a country should be included in a experience like the ashes. -I am 100% opposed too London getting 2 test matches in the ashes, a tradition i want to see changed, and a change for the better. So scrap a lord's test if need be, the oval is a faster more lively pitch anyway. The lords home of cricket ,is all just a marketing spin by the media to get tv ratings and sell tickets. tradtions change , and the step with cardiff , and now durham was the step in the right direction by the ECB. And in Australia , what does hobart,launcestion, darwin, or fremantly, townsville,cairns, have to do too get an Ashes test. Just like in rugby finally Newcastle has got a test match. And i want the AFL and NRL grand final to be played all around australia too. Not a Melbourne , sydney monopoly, all using the manipulation of the word tradition as a marketing spin to keep there hip pockets and stadiums making money. Regional England and regional and country australia are just as passionate about there sport and are sick and tired of big cities thinking it is there divine right to host big time sports events, and manipulating the word tradition. Super bowl in USA plays in a new stadium in a new city every year. UEFA champions league a new location in europe every year. A Leauge grand final in australia. So i would have no objection if Lords,SCG, or MCG missed out on a ASHES test. Why should they have a monopoly on hosting an ASHES . Why coz the old boys club of the MCC at Lords think it would be an outrage to play cricket anywhere else for the ashes, would it be beneath them to watch a match where commoners attend. I have always wanted Hobart, cairns,townsville, newcastle, ballast,fremantle, launcestion to experience the magic of an Ashes , sprots fans in cournty and regional australia love the ashes and there sport just as much. -And the hosting of the test match in rugby this week in Newcastle is a victory for regional Australia and country Australia who are the minority. So a victory fore the minorities not the majority who are in the big smoke. -So this expansion with Durham will be great for the Ashes as was the tiny ground that hosted the ASHES test in cardiff. India plays test every year and odi;s in India. And not every year does Eden Gardens Kolkata, or New Dehli host a internationals or tests. And Eden Gardens is just as so called hallowed or steeped in tradition as lord's, the SCG, or MCG , if not more. So one day i would have no issues if Lord's ,MCG, or SCG did not host Ashes test in a series,. Why should they have a monopoly on the big sprts events. Like Melbourne and the MCG having a monopoly on the AFL grand fina, or sydney with the NRL. -Do people in Melbourne simply have a divine right, as with people in sydney with rugby league, and lord's and london with cricket. -So people in Adleaide just don't love AFL as much and would not want AFL to show there love and true promotion and embodiment of a national game by giving Adelaide or perth the grand final. -And do people in syndey love there rugby league more than brisbane, hardly just look at origin results, and crowd numbers. SO give Brisbane an NRL grand final if rugby league is a true national game. -And give an AFL grand final to Adelaide or perth , if the AFL is a true national game not just an AFL with a Victoria and Melbourne comes first we may as well still be the VFL Melbourne commercial and business model dominant , Vicoria and Melbiurne come 1st not Adleaide or perth or rest of Australia. SO love the ASHES schedule in england for 2009 series with small village ground in cardiff getting a test sohia gardens cricket fans loved it. Ad support the ECB policy in 2013 with Durham getting a test. But I totally disapprove of this do called tradition of london getting 2 tests, . So some years Lord's and the old stuffy boys club of the MCC will have to stop being greedy and miss out, as will the oval some years. Just have 1 test in London. And an Ashes schedule in 2013/14 series in Australia 1st test Brisbane 2nd test Hobart 3rd test Sydney why not try a boxing day test in sydney or adelaide traditions change would be great energy going to cricket in Sydney on Boxing day, with the energy of the sydney to hobart as well great day for sport in sydney, or have it in Adeliade. 4th test Canbera our nations capital deserves more pie and market share in cricket, why not have a boxing day test even or an Ahses test in Canberra. Great energy in cnaberra an ASHES boxing day test or even just an Ashes test like 4th test. 5th test a top end test in Darwin: People in Dariwn have as much right to love the ashes and participate in the ashes as the members stand at the SCG or the members at the MCG, or the old boys at the MCC lords. Coz fans like i said before , sports fans in regional australia and country Australia love there sport just as much and are sick of always the big cities getting the big events. And it is good way to show and promote expansion, and let the smaller populations know there business is needed and valued , rather than not needed cos they are the smaller majority and smaller crowds means less money. Money should not be everything, the fans of the ashes cricket, and other sports have to have the chance to see there heroes, as much as the big cities with all the money$$$$.