Much has been made of the decision to start the 2009 Ashes at Cardiff. The apparent superiority of England’s spinners has been put forward as one reason, but Australia’s liking for Lord’s, the traditional curtain-raising venue, is the most significant factor in making the SWALEC stadium Test cricket’s 100th venue at this crucial point of the series.
Australia have won 14 of their 33 Tests at Lord’s, losing just five. Their next best record at an English ground is at Trent Bridge, where they have won seven of their 20 Tests. Time will tell if Cardiff becomes one of their favourites, but the hosts are willing to take a chance on a new venue, knowing the importance of the series opener.
England’s Ashes hammerings down under have generally had the tone set by a heavy first match defeat – think Steve Harmison and his first ball wide at Brisbane in 2002/03 – and the fact the eventual loser won the opener in 2005 should be seen as an unusual development in what was a unique series.
England generally start Test series slowly. Their struggles at the beginning of series are more apparent overseas, but they rarely produce their best performances early on. Can they play with the freedom and intensity that characterised their best moments in 2005 from the outset this time around?
The hosts have the edge in terms of Ashes experience, with eight players to Australia’s six having tasted the pressurised environment of Ashes Tests. This is not as significant as it might have been, as the Aussies have been battle-hardened by their recent tight encounters with South Africa.
The teams are well-matched in most areas. Both have plenty of batsmen in good form and any recent success has been based on the performances of fast bowlers, although the rapid development of Graeme Swann has prompted some to give England the edge.
The role of spin at Cardiff might have been overplayed, so the winner of the first Test might be decided by the pacemen. England might not know for sure who their second best spinner is, but they at least know the composition of their seam attack.
This prompts me to select the home side for a contest which is sure to be close and more than likely to go into the fifth day.
In the meantime, make sure you keep up to date with the 2009 Ashes odds before any Lords Test betting!
2 responses so far ↓
Krish // July 2, 2009 at 11:18 pm |
Last time, the English had a tough time in the first Test. The turning point was the first day of the 2nd Test when they hit 400 in some 80 overs or so.
alwaysindian // July 8, 2009 at 12:17 pm |
Ashes is always fun to watch..its more like India vs Pakistan where the teams play for their pride..neways nice article..cheers