Ashes 2009

I've finally got genuine belief rather than just hope that we'll win next year's ashes series... Baring a final day miracle in Nagpur it looks like India are going to close out their home series against the Aussies and I've been quite encouraged by their performance.

It'll be interesting to see how England match up to India in comparison to Australia in this series - although only plying two tests is nothing short of a farce. I think we'll match up pretty well.

Australia still have the edge with that middle order of Ponting, Clarke & Hussey, with others such as David Hussey in the wings, but I think we can take advantage with our opening partnership, where (touch wood) Hayden looks to be on his last legs - Cookie please start converting those 60s into tonnes.

But the batting looks solid, with potentially Broad and Flintoff in the same lower order, for perhsp the first time in my memory we might bat deeper than Australia next year.

But it's the bowling where we look to have the best advantage. Krejza took 12 wickets in his debut test, which must surely be the most misleading of stats - 358 runs conceded at nealry five an over!! I'm backing Monty to rise to the occasion and outbowl his spin rival.

Then I'm actually really pleased with our 'squad' of seamers, depending on the conditions / fitness chosing from Sido, Flintoff, Harmison, Broad, Anderson... before we get to the likes Jones(fingers crossed), Saj and Tremlett. The nature of a touring squad just means Oz won't have the same depth in options... or indeed I would argue quality.

It will be interesting to see if KP can maintain the positive attitude and discipline over the next couple of months. If we come out with a narrow defeat in the one dayers, and a drawn test series I'll be checking the odds for a 3-1 series win next summer.