Guest Poster from Australia btw. Who'd a guest it?

[john Tuohy]

Ashes 2009 Now Firmly on the Horizon

Australia is now in the country and it is now just a month until the Ashes 2009 begins. Already excitement is building and should reach fever pitch by the time the first ball is bowled at Sophia Gardens. Hopefully it will be a lot closer to the stumps then Stephen Harmison's effort at the Gabba. That was nearly two years ago and he still probably gets reminded about it every day.

England got beaten at Lords by the Netherlands, but in the end it was Australia who was eliminated first from the Twenty20 World Cup. England is on the fifth line of betting behind South Africa, India, Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

The events of the Twenty20 World Cup haven't affected the betting market for the Ashes in the slightest. The powers that be recognize that Ashes cricket is a completely different creature from the shortest form of the game.

The last time we spoke about the Ashes, England was at 3.45 to win, Australia was at 1.76 while a draw was at 6.2. That is now at 3.65, 1.71 and 6.8 respectively; so a minor movement towards Australia.

Maybe this hasn't nothing to do with the Twenty20 World Cup and more to do with the news concerning Kevin Pietersen. He allegedly has an Achilles injury and is unable to play without the use of painkillers. There is no doubt that massive contributions from him are vital if England is to win back the Ashes.

The same applies with Andrew Flintoff. He is missing from the Twenty20 World Cup and is racing time in order to be fit for Ashes 2009. Given his medical history over the last few years, even if he plays in the Ashes, it would be highly unlikely that he would be doing so 100% fit. His body has suffered too much and he is going to put his body through a significant amount of more strain – this is what Ashes cricket requires of you.

Given these woes, some of the other England players are going have to step-up and contribute if they are to have a chance against Australia. Guys the likes of Alastair Cook, Ravi Bopara and Stuart Broad.

Australia has its own set of woes to deal with but you just get the feeling with them that they are more assured. Despite the recent flux of retirements and new faces, the team culture of the Aussies seems a lot healthier compared to that of England’s.

David Wiseman is sports journalist for Betfair Australia. He is looking forward for an action packed summer of sport, and is focussing this week on greyhound racing in Oz.

[Gordon McIvor Wilson]

Always surprised Ponting's still in charge after the Ozzies last Test performance on these shores. The 'old and bold' were not impressed in the bar of the Royal Melbourne Tennis Club when I was there; definitely a case 'another pink gin here, steward'.