England being tipped to retain the Ashes.

For many, you may be thinking, "why is the England are being called favourites to win the ashes a bad thing?" but as an England fan for many years now, there is nothing good about it at all.

Of course England have won two Ashes series in recent years, 2009 and for the first time in 17 years back in 2005, mainly down to great moments like this one from the 'King of Spain' Ashley Giles.




Alas, there was of course a series in between, which I like many England fans like to forget about. That is of course the 5-0 whitewash in Australia.

But while England fans are happy about the preparation including the recent warm-up win against Australia A as well as sending the main bowlers off to acclimatise. 


The problems arise when many experts and ex-players have come out in the press confident that England will retain the ashes or that there is even a shift in the power between the two teams.

Are they mad?

Are we forgetting that we were smashed the last time we were down under, or that we haven't won down under since the regulars in the Sky Sports commentary box - messrs Botham, Willis and Gower among others were part of the team in 1986/87.


The fact that despite promising victories and the fact the Aussies can't seem to win any form of cricket right now, added to the fact even the technology is against Ricky Ponting at the moment, the bookies stil have the Aussies as favourite at 21/20 England 7/4 and the draw 9/2 (all courtesy of Bet365).

While I do in fact believe England will retain the Ashes, and it is undoubtedly our best chance to win down under since that series, saying the Aussies are vulnerable and will lose easily is naive.

Anyways the action gets underway tonight and it will be interesting to see if it goes as well as the first ball of the first test four years ago...







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