Cardiff Prediction

Firstly, lets start with the 1st Test match in Cardiff, reports indicate that the pitch is going to be a turner, and England will be playing 2 spinners, for the 1st time in 11 years! Bring on the Mont! Aussies have struggled against a so called bowler who bowls the same bowl 6 times in a row, mark my words he will get wickets! Shane warne will be licking his lips but unfortunately for the aussies he will be sparring in the commentary box!

England have to win the toss, and bat first, then unleash their spinners, that would be their best chance. Theres not much pace in the Cardiff pitch, on the opening day, you would expect not much life in the pitch if the batsman play themselves in and hit the boundary balls then easy should come easily. The only way i can see wickets tumbling early on is by disciplined bowling or the batsmen getting themselves out, and Englands openers will not need help in that department!

My Prediction for Cardiff will be a draw, the aussies normally win the 1st test match in ashes series's, hence the reason why the 1st test at Lords has been moved. If England attack early, get a good total and take full advantage of their spinners, then they will just win. After analysing both bowling attacks, i cannot see either of them regularly taking 20 wickets throughout the series.

It will be interesting to see how well equipped the Australian bowlers are at reverse swinging the dukes ball, im sure Troy Cooley will have educated them enough, remember he was the mastermind behind the scenes in 2005, what a judas! The Aussies will struggle without Brett Lee, and news just in that Stuart Clark will not be playing today, Ben Hilfenhaus will play in his position, i must say i am pretty shocked by that decision. Stuart Clark who looks like Pontings control bowler, with his line and length, and ability to swing the ball, has been dropped! Will the Hilfenhaus gamble come off only time will tell. Early signs show Pontings faith in the much riddiculed Hauritz.