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Must admit to a sense of foreboding as I watched Broad and Anderson rout the Kiwis for 67 the other night. It could be a long hard ashes series for the Aussies as I don't think our batting line up is much better than New Zealand's. Our bowling is competitive, if they can get them all on the park, however the batting is too reliant on Clarke and the English bowlers must be licking their lips. Warner could struggle in English conditions ( assuming he gets off twitter!). Rogers may be a better short term bet for the tests, Cowan looks solid but hasn't made enough runs, Watson is a walking LBW candidate. Still don't know what to make of Hughes, Hussey would make it look so much better coming in at number 6 but that won't happen. Can see us struggling to get to consistent 300 + first innings scores, which will make life tough for the bowlers. What do others think?

mikeh wrote: Must admit to a sense of foreboding as I watched Broad and Anderson rout the Kiwis for 67 the other night. It could be a long hard ashes series for the Aussies as I don't think our batting line up is much better than New Zealand's. Our bowling is competitive, if they can get them all on the park, however the batting is too reliant on Clarke and the English bowlers must be licking their lips. Warner could struggle in English conditions ( assuming he gets off twitter!). Rogers may be a better short term bet for the tests, Cowan looks solid but hasn't made enough runs, Watson is a walking LBW candidate. Still don't know what to make of Hughes, Hussey would make it look so much better coming in at number 6 but that won't happen. Can see us struggling to get to consistent 300 + first innings scores, which will make life tough for the bowlers. What do others think?

Mikeh, I reckon the Aussies will be lucky to consistently make 200 unless the wickets are flat & the weather fine & sunny. We could match them in the bowling if we could make enough runs, but I honestly can't see that happening.

The average Pom in the street is licking his lips, waiting for the Aussies to arrive. They don't win the game, but I have to agree - unless something extra ordinary happens, it will be a blood bath - and it will be Aussie blood spilling. How's that Pakistani that is exciting the selection committee coming along with his citizenship? If there's too many delays, we'll need to get swan42 on the job!

funny thing is it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if the likes of Watson, Hughes, Warner etc play out if their skins and score runs.....though then again it wouldn't surprise me either if they do what they did in India.......

until NZ 2nd innings I was quietly confident the Poms were there for the taking by Australia.......Anderson is class......but Broad?.....please!!!!......he bowls well 2 -3 times a year.....than does fudge all.......hopefully he has used up all his wickets by end of the NZ series......got to admit Eng batting looked a tad fragile....hopefully Australia's bowlers can stay fit, step up....pitch it up more like and rattle a few of their cages.....especially that cocky Saffie at number 3!!....

Well broad destroyed the black caps on Sunday and he did the same against us inin 2009 at the Oval. In that series he was England's leading wicket taker with 18. In comparison Mitch Johnson took 20 - and he has'nt been chosen for this tour. But Ryan Harris who is injured and is 33 with just 12 tests to his name has. A decent spinner would help but apart fom that th boling seems alright. the batting needs to improve. I would give Shaun marsh another go. maybe even try Brad Hodge. Try Watson with Warner at he top. Cowan at 3. Clarke at 4. Phil Hughes at 5. And 6 take your pick marsh, hodge, rogers, or the banana bender. I expect the Aussies to improve and push England.