And so, it begins all over again - One of the oldest rivalries in sport.
I can't see me getting to go and see any of the tests live and the chances of getting it on television here are nil. I'm resigned to following the tests via the Guardian's constantly refreshing on-line desktop scoreboard. 125-3 at the moment...
My sporting predictions have been terribly inaccurate of late, but I'm going to back England for a few reasons:
- Brett Lee is out for the first two tests and I think he will be a big loss for the Australians.
- Andrew Flintoff, assuming he stays fit, always has the potential to decimate a side with his bowling even if his batting is not up to scratch these days.
- The Australians have lost much of their old guard for this Ashes tour and recent tests have proved that they are not as formidable as they have been in past years.
- Pieterson and Collingwood both have the potential to post centuries at any time.
One concern I have centres around the captaincy of Strauss - How will he cope under pressure if/when we're trying to close a match out?