Australia v England: Ashes series starting tomorrow

BBC Sport wonders about how the protagonists would face off, if the series started tomorrow.

My reply to that is what Viv Richards told Sunil Gavaskar when he came in to bat at #4 at Madras in 1983/84. Gavaskar had dropped himself down the order for perhaps the first time in his career. I am not sure of whether this was because he was mentally drained facing the fearsome foursome or because he wanted to give someone else an opportunity to face the chin music.

Having opted to bat at #4, he must have been anticipating at least half a day of rest in the pavillion. Anshuman Gaekwad, who opened, and Dilip Vengsarkar, who batted at #3, saw to it that he didnt spend even five minutes in the relative comfort of the pavillion. The score was first 0/1 and then 0/2 with marauding Malcolm on a hat-trick. For all practical purposes, Gavaskar was opening. Thats when Viv apparently told him from the slip cordon "Maan, it don't matter when you come in to bat. The score is still zero".

Similarly, it dont matter when the Ashes starts. Australia will still win, easily!

Oh, and they did this only a couple of months ago!

On a related note, Graeme Hick wants the Ashes to be a one test series since Australia are too strong over five.

Justin Langer is totally excited about the battle looming ahead.

Stephen Fleming, whose side (including himself) will begin licking their wounds cautions England and is categorical about the fact that England will need to gain the early momentum, otherwise they're doomed.