Even for those with just a passing interest in cricket, there’s something special about a test series against the old enemy.

Despite the fact that recent history hasn’t been kind to Australia (ok, it’s been downright terrible), there’s hope that on our home soil, on wickets that don’t resemble the arid reaches of the Sahara, it’s time to make up for the inequities of being flogged in the past three series!!

One has to say that is despite Cricket Australia’s instructions to curators around the country on the type of wicket to be prepared for the Sheffield Shield competition. The perception at HQ was that the pitches favoured the bowlers too much, batsmen were struggling to post a score. So now we have pitches offering the bowlers nothing, and while those holding the willow should score big, heaven help us when they step onto a pitch that’s doing a bit. I mean even Steve Doble would make plenty of runs on those wickets!!!!

Historically each of the major venues had their own characteristic. The Gabba offered plenty of life for the bowlers on the opening day, but get through that and while it continued to offer some assistance to the bowler, good batsmen, or batters as they are now known in this non-sexist era, could cash in. The SCG, good batting strip but offered the spinners the chance to shine.

The WACA, good place to put the wind right up the batsmen, sorry batters, old habits die hard. Adelaide and Melbourne, have drop in wickets but hopefully a bit for both bat and ball. Let’s hope that the powers that be don’t instruct curators to turn out roads and thus erode one of the big advantages we’ve got over the Poms.

Another masterstroke by HQ, give the Poms some confidence, we’ll play the game against Australia “A” in Hobart on a pitch that offers bowlers nothing, and then we’ll pick a bowling attack that in depth is weaker than any state would put out in first class cricket. England none for 318 after day one, with Cook and Carberry making 150’s and chock full of confidence.

Thank goodness the man upstairs thought HQ had gone bonkers, with rain washing out the next two days! Now an Invitational X1 in Sydney, not exactly containing Australia’s batting elite so the Poms bowlers can get in the groove.

Enough pre-amble. What about the teams?

Australia, pretty predictable team, but one that playing to full potential can knock over the Poms. A likely opening combination, at 36 Chris Rogers living the dream that for so long eluded him, and David Warner, hopefully reformed hot head, capable of knocking the Poms out of the park. Shane Watson, ready for a break-out series providing his hammies hold up.

I think the much maligned Watto can be the key figure in an Ashes win. Smith has won me over, Clarke class act on the field, and George Bailey, in career best form that can be converted to the test arena. And don’t forget his leadership skill. Haddin in his last Ashes series could be a major player. Good bowling attack, Mitchell Johnson if he’s on will be the X-factor, and Nathan Lyon, well why is he seen to be on quicksand, when his record for a young-offie is very good.

As for the Poms, there’s no doubt they have a good batting line-up, Cook, Bell, Trott, Root and of course the walking ego KP are good enough if given the chance to take any match away from the opposition. Very sound bowling attack led by James Anderson, with good support from Stuart “these boots aren’t made for walking” Broad, and the highly effective spin of Graeme Swann.

Should be a ripper of a series, let the theatre begin!