The Ashes; First Test, Cardiff, July 8-12

[Arthur Crabtree]

And were pretty hot at that time. Jones was seen as the weaker link going into that summer, but looked incredible v BD.

Gilo had a limited role, but I'd have him ahead of Moeen, though Mo may surpass him in time.

That 05 team was the best England XI I've seen. Maybe their reputation has been dulled a little by them falling apart over the next couple of years.

[Gingerfinch]

They were good, though luck (McGrath standing on the ball) and bad captaincy from Ponting helped them a little. Did you watch/listen to the Vaughan and Freddie road show?

[Arthur Crabtree]

It's unusual for injuries not to play a part, and Australia failed to win a couple of games when McGrath did play, and indeed were second best in those games. Having luck, good and bad, is part of the game. Never sure why the things that went against England in that series are forgotten, but things that went for them are such a prominent part of the story. Re-captaincy, Vaughan v Ponting was one of England's trump cards, no luck there.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Not heard it yet, forgot.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Rain around in Cardiff on Wednesday.

[Aidan11]

Doesn't surprise me.

[KipperJohn]

Clarke and Bell the only two survivors from 2005.

Clatke 110 Tests 28 hundreds 27 fifties.

Bell 110 Tests 22 hundreds 42 fifties.

[hopeforthebest]

Clarke and Bell the only two survivors from 2005.

Clatke 110 Tests 28 hundreds 27 fifties.

Bell 110 Tests 22 hundreds 42 fifties.

Bell going into his sixth ashes series is hardly mentioned if at all.

[braveneutral]

Clarke and Bell the only two survivors from 2005.

Clatke 110 Tests 28 hundreds 27 fifties.

Bell 110 Tests 22 hundreds 42 fifties.

Bell going into his sixth ashes series is hardly mentioned if at all.

I thought I read seventh consecutive?

[hopeforthebest]

Clarke and Bell the only two survivors from 2005.

Clatke 110 Tests 28 hundreds 27 fifties.

Bell 110 Tests 22 hundreds 42 fifties.

Bell going into his sixth ashes series is hardly mentioned if at all.

I thought I read seventh consecutive?

That's right bn, the two in 2013 confused me.

[Gingerfinch]

It's unusual for injuries not to play a part, and Australia failed to win a couple of games when McGrath did play, and indeed were second best in those games. Having luck, good and bad, is part of the game. Never sure why the things that went against England in that series are forgotten, but things that went for them are such a prominent part of the story. Re-captaincy, Vaughan v Ponting was one of England's trump cards, no luck there.

Standing on a ball was a little obscure. You're right though. The first test was the only one where we looked like losing, wheras the Aussies hung on in the third test.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Clarke and Bell the only two survivors from 2005.

Clatke 110 Tests 28 hundreds 27 fifties.

Bell 110 Tests 22 hundreds 42 fifties.

Braddin toured. Anderson was in a couple of squads.

[KipperJohn]

In Ashes terms Clarke has been in the 2 whitewash wins but never won in England.

Bell has been part of 4 Ashes wins, including 1 in Australia and 2 whitewash defeats - a record he shares with Pietersen.

[m@tt]

Which of the present teams would get in the 2005 teams?

I've got Buttler and Root for Jones and Bell.

Smith and Johnson for Katich and Gillespie/Kaspa/Tait.

Which version of Clarke? Other than Bell he's the only person to have played both series (though as you said later, Anderson and Haddin made squads)

[Arthur Crabtree]

Clarke then, less likely to break down. He'll score more runs this time, that's more a function of the England attack not being as good now.