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

[Arthur Crabtree]

Weird that on CWOTV today, they talked about great Ashes memories, no one mentioned 2005.

[The Waugh Twins]

Perhaps that series will always be tainted by the stepping on the ball incident and the glove off the bat.

[The Waugh Twins]

Just read the article on cricinfo about Ryan Harris. So his leg is broken, incredible really.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Hmm. I'm being wummed.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Just read the article on cricinfo about Ryan Harris. So his leg is broken, incredible really.

A mere flesh wound.

Come back you coward.

[The Waugh Twins]

Only in cricket could something so stupid happen, oh and maybe football (soccer).

[yorker_129-7]

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.

Minor point but Anderson was only in the squad for the final test, Chris Tremlett was the 12th man for the rest of the series but dispensed with as "he hadn't played". Essentially the Jonny Bairstow of his day.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Yes, that's right. Well remembered.

[shankycricket]

The Strauss of 2004-05 was absolutely immense. I'd say, better than Cook has ever been at any point in his career.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Strauss certainly did better in that 05 series than Cook has done in any home Ashes series, and against a much better attack.

[shankycricket]

Cook's success has largely come against spin heavy attacks. The recent series vs NZ is probably the best I've seen him bat vs a world class seam attack.

[GarlicJam]

Tick tock......... not much more than 48 hours to go.

[sussexpob]

Cook's success has largely come against spin heavy attacks.

766 runs in 2010-11 vs Johnson, Harris, Siddle, Hilfenhaus..... on quick Aussie pitches

[from_the_stands]

I haven't seen an Oz team for this yet, and I'm not sure when they'll announce it, but I'm hearing that Twatto will get the nod over Mitch Marsh. Rogers looks safe, but obviously that will be confirmed when the XI is named.

[sussexpob]

I haven't seen an Oz team for this yet, and I'm not sure when they'll announce it, but I'm hearing that Twatto will get the nod over Mitch Marsh. Rogers looks safe, but obviously that will be confirmed when the XI is named.

I dont understand Australia's belief in Watson. He isnt a good test match batter, and his bowling is now approaching a stage of meaninglessness. Get a young guy in for this series, Mitch Marsh has hit two hundreds in two matches, surely you have to back him!!