Counting down to the back-to-back Ashes series in 2013/14

[Arthur Crabtree]

I hope CMS was mentioned in the article. That the pair rebuff Garlic Jam's call for a brave old world in the 2013 Ashes.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Clarke out for seven weeks with back problems.

Should be back for the Champions Trophy.

Aussie selectors state that Hughes will bat at three and Khawaja at six in the Tests in England.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Swann suggesting he may be back for the home NZ Tests. Maybe the CT. KP rated to be ok. Just need good news from Bresnan. Tremlett ready to start the season. Have to see how Broad shapes up, but he seemed th be ok in NZ.

[rich1uk]

just wondering if the timing of the champions trophy will help Australia in their preparation

a lot of the players will be in both squads and it will give them a far longer period than normal to get acquainted with conditions and I assume they will be playing tour games afterwards whilst we are playing the t20s against NZ which are after the CT

[englandmad666]

Clarke out for seven weeks with back problems.

Should be back for the Champions Trophy.

Aussie selectors state that Hughes will bat at three and Khawaja at six in the Tests in England.

Hughes at 3? music to englands ears that one.

[hopeforthebest]

It would be great for England if Tremlett and Bresnan get fit and back to form, for me the combination of Anderson, Tremlett and Bresnan at Melbourne and Sydney was the best since the 2005 ashes as each offers a different challenge to the batsmen.

[Arthur Crabtree]

just wondering if the timing of the champions trophy will help Australia in their preparation

a lot of the players will be in both squads and it will give them a far longer period than normal to get acquainted with conditions and I assume they will be playing tour games afterwards whilst we are playing the t20s against NZ which are after the CT

It's ok, we won't pick any swing bowlers to face them in the warm ups.

You could see our two Tests versus NZ as perfect preparation for the Ashes though. Australia get two tour matches, against Somerset and Worcester. Shame they're not playing England Lions, as we often get some useful info on the tourists from those games.

[Arthur Crabtree]

It would be great for England if Tremlett and Bresnan get fit and back to form, for me the combination of Anderson, Tremlett and Bresnan at Melbourne and Sydney was the best since the 2005 ashes as each offers a different challenge to the batsmen.

It sounds like England are planning on getting a lot of pace bowlers ready to play at times over the ten Ashes Tests. Some are bound to break down. maybe some will be saved for Australia? Flower said he particularly wants Tremlett for the tour.

[rich1uk]

just wondering if the timing of the champions trophy will help Australia in their preparation

a lot of the players will be in both squads and it will give them a far longer period than normal to get acquainted with conditions and I assume they will be playing tour games afterwards whilst we are playing the t20s against NZ which are after the CT

It's ok, we won't pick any swing bowlers to face them in the warm ups.

You could see our two Tests versus NZ as perfect preparation for the Ashes though. Australia get two tour matches, against Somerset and Worcester. Shame they're not playing England Lions, as we often get some useful info on the tourists from those games.

yeah wasn't suggesting they would be better prepared than us , just they will be better prepared than a touring side might normally be

[from_the_stands]

There's been more talk about Fawad Ahmed having his passport fast tracked in time for the Ashes.

[Arthur Crabtree]

I got the impression that was happening already.

[GarlicJam]

Ed Cowan signed with Notts for the lead up to the Ashes.

[Arthur Crabtree]

These things work both ways I think. Cowan has the chance to acclimatise. The English county system has a look at his technique. I suspect Australia, on balance, are the winners though.

[Arthur Crabtree]

It tends to be good for the county, as historically, Aussie cricketers have been good role models, and strong people.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Do we know when the Aussie team will be announced? With the domestic season over, it might be soon.