The Ashes - First Test - Preview

It is back. The legendary test series is back for a second time this year when the English go down under attempting to retain the urn. Come Thursday,the Australian players will walk out with the entire public cheering for them against their fierce rivals at the Woolloongabba in Brisbane.

The first test is of course, the most crucial one in any series as it sets the pace for the events that can later unfold. Australia’s terrific record at the Gabba suggests even a draw is a good result for the English team walked out of the Gabba , their scorecard read 517-1. Such was the meticulous preparation that they put in last time before the Brisbane test. This time however , glitches have been persistent and the English team arrive tentatively. Can the Aussies , though inferior in terms of skill , take advantage?

TEAM NEWS

Australia - ODI Vice Captain, Tasmanian George Bailey is set to make his test debut at number six. Mitchell Johnson, on the back of his strong ODI showings (and injuries to Pattinson, Cummins , Bird and Starc) , is back in the line up. The crucial question is though, can Shane Watson recover from his hamstring injury and will he be able to bowl? Watson’s bowling ability gives Australia the crucial balance. They could choose James Faulkner if Watson cannot bowl. And if Watson does recover, will they go for an all pace attack by choosing Faulkner ahead of off spinner Nathan Lyon? Much will depend on how the pitch turns out to be . Tough Choices indeed.

Most Probable XI - Rogers, Warner, Watson , Smith, Clarke(C), Bailey, Haddin (WK), Faulkner, Johnson, Siddle, Harris

England - Three major places remain open to question in an otherwise well settled England line up. Does Michael Carberry partner Cook in opening the innings? Practice matches suggest so. The third pacer conundrum is proving a tough one with all three - Finn , Tremlett and Rankin - similar in form and ability and what they bring to the team. As things stand, Tremlett seems to hold the edge over the other two. And will Matt Prior recover in time after his calf injury? News reports on Monday suggest Jonny Bairstow will play , in order to not risk further injury to Prior.

Most Probable XI - Cook(C), Carberry, Trott, Pietersen, Bell, Root, Bairstow (WK), Broad, Swann, Anderson, Tremlett.

CONDITIONS AND PITCH

Monday was a warm day in Brisbane . However as evening approached, it rained heavily. Concerns about the curator being able to prepare an even bouncing wicket have been raised and the term "Gabba Greentop" has been thrown about by local journalists. Sure, it is tempting to go for seamer friendly conditions with their pace attack but Australia must remember England have high quality batsmen who can resist their bowling attack and then get at Australian middle order with their world class bowlers.

THE MEN IN FORM

Australia - Much will depend on Captain Michael Clarke’s form in the middle order. Also Ryan Harris has a great record in Australia and barring injury , he could be the guy who causes the most misery to the English batsmen with his accuracy and ability to swing it both ways.

England - Ian Bell. The much maligned Bell held his own in the reverse series with innings after innings. Bell needs to continue his form especially if Trott and Cook start poorly. In bowling, it is Greame Swann who is England’s trump card. With the pace attacks cancelling each other out, Swann’s mercurial off spin holds the key to success for England.

THE MEN WHO COULD LOSE IT

Australia - Mitchell Johnson. True , his bowling in the ODI series was impressive however, he is known to have bouts of bad spells. Especially after that horror spell in the last Ashes when he drifted too much into Cook’s pads. David Warner needs to put a price on his wicket too.

England - Michael Carberry. The opener needs to click for England to build huge totals like they did last time around in Australia. And Jonny Bairstow, wicketkeeping for the first time in tests, needs to stay alert and take his catches well. Catches win matches.

PREDICTION

This one is too tight to call, given Australia’s brilliance at the Gabba. I go for a draw, especially with the weather forecast a bit dodgy.