The Equaliser
Player Valuation: £50m
It's all about this...
...between these.
Schedule:
8-12 July 1st Test, Cardiff
16-20 2nd Test, Lord's
29-2 Aug 3rd Test, Edgbaston
6-10 4th Test, Trent Bridge
20-24 5th Test, The Oval
Squads:
England (for 1st Test): Alastair Cook (Essex, capt), Adam Lyth, Gary Ballance (both Yorkshire), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Ben Stokes (Durham), Jos Buttler (Lancashire, wk), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Mark Wood (Durham), James Anderson (Lancashire), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Steven Finn (Middlesex).
Australia : Michael Clarke (capt), Steve Smith (vice-capt), Fawad Ahmed, Brad Haddin (wk), Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Peter Nevill (wk), Chris Rogers, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Adam Voges, David Warner, Shane Watson.
Betting:
Australia - 4/9
England - 9/2
Draw - 15/2
Australia have been in great form recently but but this will be a tough test for them as England are traditionally very good at home, especially in familiar conditions for them. Whatever happens there are bound to be ups and downs, twists and turns aplenty.
Can't see either side running away with it so it could be a bit nip and tuck although I'd expect the Aussies to edge the series mostly because of their superior bowing attack; apart from the pace of Johnson and Starc, England have not yet replaced Swann in the spin department and Lyon seems to have improved a lot for Australia.
There's not much between them in the batting department though so there could be some low-scoring matches which will make for close finishes and plenty of excitement. Australia just to edge the sledging.
Hopefully it will be a great series and goes to the final test with the outcome still in doubt. Let the drama begin!
...between these.
Schedule:
8-12 July 1st Test, Cardiff
16-20 2nd Test, Lord's
29-2 Aug 3rd Test, Edgbaston
6-10 4th Test, Trent Bridge
20-24 5th Test, The Oval
Squads:
England (for 1st Test): Alastair Cook (Essex, capt), Adam Lyth, Gary Ballance (both Yorkshire), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Ben Stokes (Durham), Jos Buttler (Lancashire, wk), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Mark Wood (Durham), James Anderson (Lancashire), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Steven Finn (Middlesex).
Australia : Michael Clarke (capt), Steve Smith (vice-capt), Fawad Ahmed, Brad Haddin (wk), Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Peter Nevill (wk), Chris Rogers, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Adam Voges, David Warner, Shane Watson.
Betting:
Australia - 4/9
England - 9/2
Draw - 15/2
Australia have been in great form recently but but this will be a tough test for them as England are traditionally very good at home, especially in familiar conditions for them. Whatever happens there are bound to be ups and downs, twists and turns aplenty.
Can't see either side running away with it so it could be a bit nip and tuck although I'd expect the Aussies to edge the series mostly because of their superior bowing attack; apart from the pace of Johnson and Starc, England have not yet replaced Swann in the spin department and Lyon seems to have improved a lot for Australia.
There's not much between them in the batting department though so there could be some low-scoring matches which will make for close finishes and plenty of excitement. Australia just to edge the sledging.
Hopefully it will be a great series and goes to the final test with the outcome still in doubt. Let the drama begin!
