Aussie Ashes?

The hype of the Ashes is quite overwhelming.. But, there are times I quite enjoy the hyperbole because it involves the incorrigible arrogance of the Aussies and the everlasting hope and wish list of the Poms. Well the 2010 Ashes has started with a bang..

After all the hyperbole and the statements in the press, Three telling statements have been made on the pitch...

At the first test, in the 2nd innings of the match, Numbers 1, 2 and 3 from England stood up and showed some spine.. and the Aussie Spearhead did a Harmison.

And in the 2nd test today, Anderson showed up the bane of modern day batsmen - inability to play genuine swing..

I think that this is enough to make you believe that Strauss will be coming back with the Ashes and also a small packet of fresh Ash - of the Aussie bulldog in Ricky Ponting. And all my cricket loving friends in Lytham am sure are begining to chuckle quietly and are rubbing their hands in anticipation..

Ponting is no Tendulkar and that is being shown up .. I believe it was not long ago after being battered in India that he said that if Tendulkar can score at this age, so can he. But, his inability to avoid lunging forward is putting paid to such hopes and makes his claims tall.. At the same time, let us not write him off. He is tenacious to say the least and does not want to give up his hold on the leash easily.. Anderson will have to make the ball talk a few more times in this series for the Jaws to loosen and the hold to fall apart..

Michael Clark has immense talent. No doubt. But, he is not fit nor does he have the discipline to make it really big in Test Cricket. He will be a good test player but never a great test player and this performance if not arrested soon will undo his captaincy hopes..About Markus North, the less said the better.

The Aussie 1 & 2 are all said and done makeshift and that does show up..

Let us not celebrate the Ashes too soon and be lopsided about this.. I am not one bit convinced that the English Middle order is sound enough to survive a tight examination.. Petersen I have reservations about, Collingwood at best is a gritty fighter and Bell according to me is batting a little too low down the order..

At the same time, the Poms are a better bowling side and have more discipline and maturity.. This is important and will play the final call in the decision of the series. In Anderson and Finn, the Poms have a great bowling starting line and Broad does widen this net. Swann despite his slow start is afterall the world's most recognised spinner today..Against this the Aussies have babes with the ball..

But, beware of the Aussie spirit of never say die.. Play to your potential and come back with the Ashes tucked in your bags..