Ashes Prediction

It is the eve of the Ashes and as the temperature soars outside, Ashes fever soars across the country.  On the back of an incredibly successful weekend for British sport that saw an Ashes victory in the rugby, and Andy Murray ending a 77 year wait for a male Wimbledon winner, a nation expects.

Previously, we might have dared to whisper that we're in with a shout to win the Ashes.  Such has been the contrasting forms of the the teams over the years that we're now shouting it from the roof tops that we can beat the Aussies.  Sir Ian Botham is making a 10-0 prediction over the home and away legs.

Whilst I believe England win will the Ashes, I think the series will be closer than many initially thought.  Since Darren Lehmann's appointment as coach a fortnight ago, Australia have gone from strength to strength.  "Boof" is a determined character, like a dog with a bone. He just doesn't know when to give up - and that will be what he is trying to instil to the Aussies.

However, in Andy Flower England have a coach that knows what it takes to win the Ashes.  Having helped England to a victory in the 2009 home series, Flower ended 24 years of hurt by orchestrating an amazing away Ashes series win in 2011 too.

The Zimbabwean won't be affected by the hype and the unusual tag of "Ashes favourites". Flower's thorough and methodical work ethic will ensure the England team also keep their feet firmly on the ground.

The weather forecast for tomorrow is more overcast then of late.  An ideal start would be for Alistair Cook to win the toss at Trent Bridge and for Jimmy Anderson to exploit the conditions to get some early wickets.

My prediction is 3-1 to England with a victory at Trent Bridge to get England on the journey to retaining the Ashes.  What a glorious summer of sport this could turn out to be.