The excitement has been building. The fans can’t wait for day one at the Gabba. The usual lead up stories in the media are reminding us all that the oldest and most respected rivalry is upon us.
Players hold press conferences where clichés are handed out like sweets on Halloween and a lead in to an Ashes series would not be complete without Warnie having his say to stir the pot and ruffle a few English feathers.
So, what can we expect from this series?
If we look at Australia, what I expect to see is a line up in Brisbane that, barring injuries, will play all five Tests. This is important.
There has been too much messing around with the Australian batting and bowling line-ups for the last 12-18 months and I believe the selectors acknowledge this.
Continual chopping and changing of the line-up breeds insecurity and a culture of looking out for oneself. Players need backing – publicly and privately.
Give them what they need in the lead up from a preparation point of view; communicate game plans clearly so everyone in the team knows specifically what their role is; and then allow them the freedom to go out there on the ground and play the game.
Players will have absolute clarity and this is key to them being able to get the job done.
I am interested to see which way Michael Clarke will go with his 11 for the Gabba.
The news that Shane Watson is able to bowl would say to me that James Faulkner will carry the drinks and Mitchell Johnson will be the third seamer.
Watto needs to be used in the correct way. 10-12 overs in a day’s play is all he needs to bowl. He can be used as an attacking option or even simply to give one of the three quicks a breather.
Johnson should be utilised as a shock weapon, encouraged to hit the track hard at good pace. Australia should not be concerned if he goes for runs – they have Siddle and Harris who attack and keep the run rate manageable.
Lyon can also play a defensive role if there is not much turn.
I am looking forward to seeing David Warner perform.
In fact, he is my prediction for most runs for the Australians. I think a settled life off the field has contributed to his rich vein of form of late and I also believe he has learnt his lesson from some of the incidents he has been associated with in recent times.
He will take the attack to the English bowlers and put Anderson and Broad under pressure from the outset.
And finally a word on George Bailey.
His selection has divided opinion. I can see both arguments. His first class record in recent times has been below his standards, yet his one day form has been red hot.
Do you select a Test player based on one day form?
I am not so sure.
However, at what point do you say: “his form is so good in one day cricket we HAVE to pick him”?
I believe it came down to that for the selectors.
It is also very obvious that the selectors are desperate for another leader in the dressing room and I believe this helped Bailey’s chances too.
Like everyone else, I’m very excited about day one at the Gabba. Bring it on!
Bearfax
Guest
Seems McDermott has had quite a bit of success in the past with our fast bowlers. What is it that gives him the edge in training and performance Dizzy.
Jason Gillespie
Guest
a balanced training program and a sensible approach to skills preparation are key in my opinion. Fast bowlers need to be robust to perform their skills. I would encourage functional movement patterns in fitness training that Re relevant to fast bowling.
JGK
Roar Guru
AS I understand it, it is about the Tests because CA want exclusive rights to stream the radio commentary through their stinking pile of dog vomit of a website whereas the ABC obviously are heavily committed to their own digital offering. We all jumped up and down at the BCCI's bully boy tactics against the ABC for the last Ashes tour but it seem CA is little better.
ChrisUK
Guest
Yep. Sky send their own commentary team over for all Tests. They're a decent enough commentary team, but part of me always misses hearing the local commentary. I quite like the way the BBC and ABC team up for all the Ashes series on the radio (and the BBC do this with all the others too). So when you hear Jim Maxwell it's like welcoming back an old friend. Likewise when it's Bryan Waddle in New Zealand or Neil Manthorp in South Africa or Tony Cozier in the West Indies.
Arto
Guest
@ atgm: They're definitely in Oz for Sky Sports...
ChrisUK
Guest
Over here, when the whole digital TV thing kicked off a few years back, there used to be that option. It didn't last very long - I suspect they suddenly realised they wouldn't be able to a) sell you things or b) promote the rest of their programming.
ChrisUK
Guest
How weird. Next you'll be telling me some people actively dislike it.
Arto
Guest
@ Felix: "canary yellow"???!!!! That's Australian Gold my friend and don't you fucking forget it!!!! ;-) Hahahahahahaha!!!
Bearfax
Guest
I think it may be good for Khawaja and Hughes to spend the summer in Shield cricket and be considered for the next series in 2014. I think they both need the pressure off for a bit to let them work on their games and score some big ones in the Shield to get their confidences back. I still believe they are future long term test batsmen. But I would have considered Doolan and Maddison for these ashes. The more these young bucks get the experience of test cricket, the healthier Oz cricket is going to be. I think the selectors badly missed an opportunity here by trying to play it too safe yet again. Good luck to Bailey but I think egg is heading faceward as with Marsh, Quiney , North and Cowan before him. Mind you it may end up hitting me instead.
Simoc
Guest
It'de be better still if you can just have the ground microphones and no commentary as an option. Then you're at home and at the cricket without the drivel. It's not as if ABC radio commentary is anything but ordinary. Worse than our batting in fact.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
I like those predictions though, good actually become genuine
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Cosgrove no. In an Ashes series you need great fielders and Cosgrove is not.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
They certainly do.
Anto
Guest
Dizzy, I'd love to know your opinion on how frequently many of our topline bowlers are breaking down these days. There is a train of thought (which I think may include Dennis Lillee) who believe that they are too much under the influence of sports scientists, who have them spending large amounts of time in the gym, lifting weights and bulking up, rather than simply keeping aerobically fit and just bowling. Having been a grade cricket bowler myself, who did nothing more than bowl, bowl, then bowl some more (and do a bit of running) and suffered very few injuries, I'm in favour of the old-fashioned methods. When standing in front of a mirror, shirt off, it was very noticeable that one side of my body was bigger than the other. A bit like a tennis player. This asymmetry never did me any harm, IMO. How come skinny blokes like you and McGrath, and fat blokes like Merv and Beefie could keep going, when our young fellas today can't?
Felix
Guest
I'm excited enough to have jagged tickets for tomorrow and will be there emblazoned in my canary yellow livery. OK I say Jagged, I set an alarm and took a day off work to get first in pre-release seats. I'm in the 'Aussie Army' section which hopefully will have some better banter than Aussie Aussie Aussie, OI OI OI. Enjoy your viewing RK, all and Sundry. I'm making sure I get there early, just in case we bat first, I want to the 3 deliveries Warner will face.
Jason Gillespie
Guest
I don't disagree with you. If you put me on the spot and asked me who I would have pushed for at the selection table I would have gone Doolan. The point I make is now that the selectors have made a decision- stick to it and give him (bailey) a chance. Hopefully the days of giving a player one or two tests are over.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
I think we can expect some comedy from Chairman of Selectors Leslie Neilsen.
Crazy Dave
Roar Rookie
I think they've picked him as a future captain.... and will persist with him even if he fails because of that....
Crazy Dave
Roar Rookie
Or Cricbuzz.com
Crazy Dave
Roar Rookie
I think that dispute is only in relation to the Shield Coverage.... Hope I'm correct....