THE ADVER asked some of local cricket’s leading lights to have their say on the 2013/14 winter Ashes series. Here is what they came up with...
Paul Rowley, Lechlade chairman: “I’m going 3-1 to the pugnacious Poms. I’m expecting a hard-fought contest but class will out.”
Brad Dawson, Goatacre captain: “I think it’s going to be much tougher. The series just gone was a lot closer than the scoreline suggests but I fancy England taking it 2-1. I hope Carberry gets his chance that he deserves. Australia will put up a tougher fight.”
Marc Williamson, Swindon batsman: “It’ll be 2-2. Despite England possessing the superior squad, I can see a spirited performance by the Australians and I predict Michael Clarke to out-think Alastair Cook.”
Ed Wilkins, Goatacre batsman: “I’m going for a 2-1 England win, with a final Test victory deciding it. It’ll be a tough series with lots of talking points but Kevin Pietersen will show his class and score a couple of big hundreds at crucial times.”
Jon Sore, Swindon & Wiltshire academy batsman: “It will be a closer contest than in England, with Australia having home advantage. The Aussies have gone down the route of mind games but I don’t believe England will let it affect them. It’ll be a good series and who knows, 25 days is a lot of cricket, but I’m sticking with 3-1 England.”
Luke Sellers, Lechlade coach: “England’s batsmen underperformed last summer and, provided they regain their form this winter, I don’t think we’ll have any trouble beating an average Aussie team who still look no nearer to solving their own batting problems. 3-1.”
Elliot Hill, Purton captain: “We’ll probably lose the first Test, as we always do, and then have the series wrapped up by the time I return to the country on the 28th after the Melbourne Test. It’ll be 2-1.”
Liam Tucker, Swindon captain: “My heart says 5-0 England, my head thinks it’s going to be extremely tight - 2-1 to England.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here