The Ashes 2017-18

The Ashes 2017-18 is going to start from 23-Nov-2017. The oldest rivalry of cricket at its best. There are few matching series which will attract the attention of cricketing world.

Australia are certainly favorites being the host, but England are not really bothered by it. They know the cricket has to be played in the ground and not in the media interactions.

Aussies cricketers, pundits, media are rallying behind their team as always. But this England team boasts some world class players. Even though Ben Stokes' participation is unclear, they still have plenty of quality in their line up. Hope their inexperienced middle order will be protected by their star batsmen Alastair Cook and Joe Root. Bowling department could not ask for more experience when you have James Anderson and Stuart Broad. Hope their third and fourth seamer do a good job.

Aussies are clearly dependent on dynamic David Warner and Steve Smith. Their bowling attack can not get better with Starc, Hazelwood, Cummins in the line-up with Lyon the sole spinner.

All in all set for a fantastic Ashes....

My pick if England scrape through Brisbane without a defeat, then they will win 2-1 or better if not then Aussie winning it by 3-1.

First Test at Gabba - Aussie keep their record intact. It has been a fortress for them. Mighty difficult for visitors to beat Aussies at Gabba. Superb century from Steve Smith led Australia to 1-0.

Second Test at Adelaide - English had high hopes of giving a good fight to Aussies especially after thumping they got in Gabba. But inspite of Anderson's brilliance in second innings, English struggled to achieve 354 in a day night test. Aussies once again keep their day-night test match sheet clean. Looks downhill for English team from here on.

Third Test belonged to Steven Smith who scored a big double hundred to put England under pressure. This was second time within a year that England managed to lose the match inspite of scoring 400 in the first innings. The earlier instance was against India. Australia took an unassailable lead of 3-0 in pocketing ashes in style. They would be forgiven to dream a whitewash against this England team.

Fourth Test was a boring draw and both teams batted long. Australia were under slight pressure first time but managed to wiggle out their way.

Fifth and Final test saw Australia at their dominating best. As you will see at the end of a long series, England were looking tired. Marsh brothers rubbed salt in the wounds along with Khawaja and Australia comfortably won 4-0.