The most eagerly-anticipated Ashes series in a generation starts on Friday – but will England blow Australia away or will the Aussies retain the urn?
Australia won the last series 4-0 but since Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum took over last year, England have won 11 from 13 Tests playing aggressive and at times mystifying cricket.
Pat Cummins’ side, fresh from becoming world Test champions, will be England’s biggest challenge yet – but who do the experts expect to see lifting the urn at the end of the five-match series?
Michael Vaughan, Ashes-winning captain in 2005
‘History says Australia haven’t won in the UK since 2001. The last time they were here in 2019, it was a very similar team to what they have now and they only managed a 2-2 draw against an England team that wasn’t very good. England are miles better now and they will surprise the Australians.’
Prediction: England 3-1 Australia
Former England bowler Jonathan Agnew
‘It all depends on the first Test. Whoever wins that will win the Ashes. Therefore, the question is who is best placed to win at Edgbaston? If England do lose there, the message from Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum will be to go hard. Australia look very well prepared. My heart says 3-1 England, but head says something different.’
Prediction: England 1-3 Australia
Ex-England spinner Phil Tufnell
‘There won’t be too many draws, if any. It will be nip and tuck all the way, a couple of heavyweights slugging it out right until the final round, when we will find out who the last team standing is. I’m going to say England. Just.’
Prediction: England 3-2 Australia
Two-time Ashes-winning captain Sir Alastair Cook
‘Stuart Broad thinks it will be 3-2 – that it will go to The Oval 2-2 and we’ll win there. I think there will be a bit of weather about at some stage, so that takes one of the equation for the draw. England’s bowlers need to stay fit. I’m excited to see how Australia confront Bazball, because there are so many unanswered questions.’
Prediction: England 3-1 Australia
England World Cup winner Alex Hartley
‘England will shock Australia with their style. I can see them winning the first two Tests. The only way there will be a draw is if there is rain, which could come at my home ground in Manchester. Australia have got a brilliant bowling attack and their middle order batting is dangerous. England will have to stick to their plans against them. It will be very exciting.’
Prediction: England 3-1 Australia
Ex-England bowler Steven Finn
‘I can see it being a very, very competitive series. I hope all of Australia’s frontline bowling attack are fit, because that is their best chance of winning. The way England have played, the momentum they have and the crowds that will be behind them will play a significant part in swinging it their way. I see a result in every Test unless there is weather, with the series decided in the last match at The Oval.’
Prediction: England 3-2 Australia
Australia legend Glenn McGrath
‘I’ve been really impressed with the way England have been playing, but this Australian team is different with a great bowling attack and quality batters. It’s going to be an incredible contest. The first Test is massively important. I can see every Test going down to the wire, with Australia just winning… every game. I’m sure people want me to say 5-0, so I will not disappoint them.’
Prediction: England 0-5 Australia
Isa Guha, England Ashes winner in 2008
‘It’s a series that is so hard to predict because there are so many unknowns. England haven’t won an Ashes series since 2015, but this is a great chance to end that run because of their brave style. They will probably get into trouble at some stage, but they will have too much for Australia.’
Prediction: England 3-1 Australia
Australia hero Jason Gillespie
‘Under Stokes and McCullum, England’s ultra-positive gameplan has worked against whoever they have come up against, with 11 wins from 13 Tests since last year. Australia, though, have quality bowling in the shape of Cummins, Boland, Hazlewood, Starc and Lyon. England will unravel.’
Prediction: England 1-3 Australia
Former England captain Nasser Hussain
‘I can’t see many draws simply because of the way England are playing, they’re trying to take the draw out of the equation. Australia in Australia, England have got hammered. Australia in England, Australia haven’t won here, won an Ashes series since 2001, but they’ve always been close. I fancy England, just.’
Prediction: England 3-2 Australia
England legend Kevin Pietersen
‘My heart, of course, wants England to win. But I think that Australia have a very good chance, just because I don’t think England’s one, two, and three match up. I just don’t think they do. I want 3-2 England, but I fear Australia are winning it.’
Prediction: England 1-4 Australia
MORE : Eoin Morgan reveals ‘message of support’ to Jofra Archer after Ashes blow
MORE : Australia hero Ian Chappell slams England over Moeen Ali’s Ashes recall
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