Right then, currently in Prague in the Czech Republic. I'm just having a quick couple of nights here with my parents who came over to England to visit myself and my sister. I thought a good taste of European sightseeing was in order, so Prague it is. It's been a great couple of days and even the weather has played ball; today was supposed to be heavy showers, only a couple of light ones turned up later in the evening. Brilliant!
And as it's only a quickie I just thought I'd have my two cents worth on the upcoming Ashes series:
If England can keep their bowling attack on the park, I think they go into the series as favourites. Two very good spinners who have both won matches for England plus some very much in-form quicks who swing it, especially Jimmy Anderson who has won matches for England. So there, my pick is England and if I had to pick a score line: 2-1 with two draws, one rain effected.
And like that, I’m out of here. I’d be interested in your views for the series. Oh, and yeah, of course I’m disappointed in missing out on the ODI team for the Sri Lanka tour, very disappointed. But that’s for the next blog! And don't forget to add me on 'Twitter' – iainobrien.
Hi Iain,
England are the real favourites in this ashes.
Key players are Freddie,Swann,Broad.
Bowl Well in the Srilanka Test Series and you can get a chance to play in ODI Series.
You just need some gud luck man.
Surely u will be in Top 10 this year in ICC Test Ratings.
All The Best for next match against MiddleSex
Posted by: Azza at July 8, 2009 7:29 AM
Never discount Australia. Even though they have more Ashes newbies in their side and seem to have questionable selections, they know how to dig deep from near-hopeless situations. Being a recent migrant from NZ doing his OE in the UK, it would be great to see England win this series (so I could see a victory parade), but it will depend on the form of their squad. Can Freddie Flintoff stay injury free? Can Pietersen fire with the bat. Can the quicks do what they did in the last Ashes series in England? And can the extra specialist spinners make a difference? If yes, then I'd think England would have their noses in front.
Posted by: Hashaam at July 8, 2009 8:17 AM
I agree Ian, England are slight favorites just because the have the 2 spinners. Have a good holiday!
Posted by: Zane Webb at July 8, 2009 8:34 AM
Who are you again?
Posted by: RhinoLeggie at July 8, 2009 9:13 AM
Yip England will win the series hands down. Iain I thought you were hard done by not going to on tour, you had a good season, hard luck mate but as every NZ cricket fan knows NZC management are muppets.
Posted by: Sally the Dumptruck at July 8, 2009 11:00 AM
Zane Webb. Now there's a good cricketing name. All those international matches... oh hang on...
Posted by: ijaz at July 8, 2009 12:54 PM
my money is on the aussies. coz they ve gt few big match players who can turn thing around quite efficiantly.englang will desperately miss micheal vaughan's assistance coz he is one of the match winners.anyway mr ian o brian want 2 c u guyz in sri lanka next month.fingers crossed
Posted by: Rev at July 10, 2009 8:09 AM
No chance for England as far as this Aussie supporter is concerned - they just haven't faced enough quality opposition lately. Great, Bopara cashed in against the Windies but I reckon he'd struggle against the awesome pace attack of South Africa. When England won in 2005 it was a massive effort and everything fell into place for them. This time they don't have the talent to cash in on Australian weaknesses.
Posted by: John Biship at July 10, 2009 12:01 PM
Sorry to disappoint you but Australia is going to take the Ashes 3 - 0 as England only rely on one bowler and one batsman. Australia are to balnced for England.
Posted by: amin at July 11, 2009 6:04 AM
u a good blog writer than a cricket player,u must seek permanent job from cricinfo
Posted by: David at July 11, 2009 6:42 AM
Hey Zane. Another 6 for the nobody.
Posted by: knight at July 11, 2009 9:00 AM
Looks like first test is going to be a draw. I believe England need Harmission back. He is the only player who seem to trouble Aussie Batsman.
By the way, congrtulations to Iain for second six-wicket haul in as many games.
Posted by: Ritam at July 11, 2009 6:15 PM
At the start of the series...I thought it is a 51-49 situation and ADVANTAGE England. The reason is plain and simple and have been written or told by many experts earlier... The absence of a quality spinner in the Aussie squad. But the absence of maturity in KP while playing Hauritz has created a great chance for the Aussies to go up 1-0 in the series. English bowling was not at its best as both the spinners were disappointing. Monty was too short and Swan was too fool in his length. If Johnson & Co. can claim the wicket of KP early in the morning on the 5th Day...well...We can have a similar beginning like 2005 Ashes. If England wants to live up to Iain's prediction of 2-1 margin,they have got some serious thinking to do before the Lord's test. I guess Harmison will get an opportunity there. The intensity of the Australian team has been great. My money is on them.
Posted by: Davro at July 11, 2009 10:17 PM
Hoping for rain on day 5 pal and that will be your rain affected game, always takes Eng a while to get going! Top effort against Middlesex, see you Friday! :)
Posted by: Alan at July 12, 2009 2:26 PM
Yet again England are kidding themselves about the quality of their attack. On what planet do people think Englands bowling attack (which couldn't bowl the Windies out at the beggining of the year) is better than the Australian one that destroyed South Africa in South Africa not long ago. England do not have a single world class bowler, all the fast bowlers have averages over 30, Flintoff is Englands best fast bowler with an average of 32! Only Swann has an average under 30 and hasn't played anybody yet. The closest England have had in recent years was Simon Jones who people seem to forget was Englands best bowler by a mile in 2005 Ashes (average 21) not Flintoff (average 27) but sadly injuries have ruined his career. The last England bowler to produce consistent quality performances over several seasons was Darren Gough (Av 26). While I'm about it Harmison has had 3 good series for England in 2004 Windies twice and N.Zealand awful before then, awful since so please don't pick again.
Posted by: Alan at July 13, 2009 7:14 AM
Given how massively England have just been outplayed in the first test, that prediction looks mightily awry. Wishful thinking motivated by the desire to see your Antipodean neighbours defeated, Mr. O'Brien?
Posted by: Andrew at July 14, 2009 12:55 AM
Might be a bit late as the 1st test has already finished. Are you all still so confident about an English victory now?
Posted by: Jon Berridge at July 14, 2009 4:31 PM
Congratulations on your excellent form at the moment keep it going and you'll be back in all the New Zealand squads for sure.
Posted by: Mark at August 5, 2009 7:56 AM
How good is Prague mate. Beer is cheap, coffee is cheap. Nice city. Love it.
Posted by: Ben at August 22, 2009 12:34 AM
Prediction is looking fairly sound now...
Posted by: Vishal at August 27, 2009 6:07 PM
Bloody hell! That was Nostradamus-esque!
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Iain O'Brien
must type as fast as he bowls. After stumps most days he adds to his popular personal blog, covering his take on the play, dressing room snippets and personal insights (he really doesn’t like bouncers). A fast-medium bowler, O’Brien has become a regular member of the New Zealand Test side over the past year and is enjoying his time at the top.
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