The first Ashes Test is almost here!
With another historic series on the way, the SEN Test Cricket and SEN.com.au teams have made their predictions for most runs, wickets and overall result.
See our predictions below:
EXPERT PREDICTIONS
Simon Katich
Most runs: Marnus Labuschagne
Most wickets: Pat Cummins
Result: Australia 3-1
Adam Collins
Most runs: Joe Root
Most wickets: Josh Hazlewood
Player of the Series: Josh Hazlewood
Result: 2-2 draw
Gerard Whateley
Result: 3-1 Australia
Anthony Hudson
Most runs: Marnus Labuschagne
Most wickets: Ollie Robinson
Player of the Series: Marnus Labuschagne
Result: 3-2 Australia
Chris Rogers
Most runs: Steve Smith
Most wickets: Josh Hazlewood
Player of the Series: Josh Hazlewood
Result: 3-1 Australia
Damien Fleming
Result: 4-1 Australia
Weather worries me in these predictions because it sounds like it’s going to be a wet summer. The Gabba could be a draw.
If we get results, I will go 4-1 to Australia.
I don’t know which one England win, but a second day-night Test match doesn’t hurt England with their right-arm seamers. They might be able to snaffle a win in the day-night, but I just think Australia has more depth with their batting.
David Warner averages 63 in Australia, Marnus Labuschagne 60 and Steve Smith 60. Then the bowling attack that has close to 1,000 wickets.
I just think Australia’s got too many match winners for England, who with the bat really only have Joe Root and Ben Stokes.
SEN.com.au PREDICTIONS
Most Runs: Joe Root
Most Wickets: Josh Hazlewood
Result: 2-1 Australia
The Brisbane Test appears likely to be interrupted by rain, while the Sydney Test’s natural state is to be washed out, so expect a live series going into the Fifth Test. The Ashes could come down to a day-nighter in front of 80,000 at the MCG (or 14,000 at Hobart depending on how CA is feeling). The English pinch the first Melbourne Test, adding to the drama while the Aussies win in Adelaide and the second time around in Melbourne.
Nic Negrepontis
Most runs: Steve Smith
Most wickets: Josh Hazlewood
Result: 3-1 Australia
This is an Australian side that has its flaws – and their preparation has been far from smooth – but a home Ashes series win looks on the cards. England’s brittle top order is heavily reliant on Joe Root and could be exposed by Australia’s potent pace attack. Only Root averages more than 40 in England’s squad and the captain must score prolifically if the tourists are any chance of competing. David Warner (average of 48), Steve Smith (61) and Marnus Labuschagne (60) all thrive in home conditions and look more capable of scoring big runs. Ben Stokes’ return is huge for England and the entire series, but the jury is out as to whether the visitors can score healthy first innings runs and take 20 wickets on a consistent basis.
Alex Zaia
Most runs: Steve Smith
Most wickets: Josh Hazlewood
Result: 3-1 Australia
Steve Smith lands on top for most runs. He primes himself for red-ball cricket and he certainly enjoys taking on the Poms. Predicting at least two centuries and the customary lot of fifties. Joe Root is almost a lock to score the most runs for England. Pat Cummins, who led the way with 29 scalps in Ashes 2019, will be more focused on his new role as captain and might lean on his fellow quicks to do the heavy lifting. That brings Josh Hazlewood into calculations. He’ll toil away and always put the ball in dangerous spots. Regarding the overall prediction, La Niña has placed some doubt over the summer weather on the eastern seaboard so there could be a draw or two and surely England are competitive enough to win at least one.
Andrew Slevison
Most Runs: Marcus Harris
Most Wickets: Josh Hazlewood
Result: 3-1 Australia
A second pink-ball Test changes the picture of the series somewhat and on the face of it, the cooler conditions under lights should suit the likes of Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson, with the latter’s availability prioritised for after the opening Test in Brisbane. Australia will fancy their chances of starting the series off strongly at the Gabba, with the Adelaide day-night Test likely to prove critical to the overall make up of the series. Australia still deserves to be overwhelming favourites considering their pace attack in home conditions, but don’t discount England winning one, if not both of the pink-ball Tests, where their best bowlers will be at their strongest.
Laurence Rosen
Most Runs: Steve Smith
Most Wickets: Mitch Starc
Result: 3-1 Australia
The bowlers are the attributes for both sides, with the batting line-ups likely to struggle to see out the five days of a Test match. If we make allowances for the weather, we may only see four results. In terms of which way those results will fall, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne could once again be the difference. Particularly on Australian wickets, the duo’s stubborn refusal to be dismissed should more often than not put Australia in the box seat throughout the series. It’s seriously difficult to see a similar match-winner in England’s team outside of captain Joe Root – who averages only 38 in Australia – and Ben Stokes, with the latter returning from a lengthy break. If England is to win more than one Test match, a new hero is going to have to announce themselves.
Seb Mottram
Most Runs: Steve Smith
Most Wickets: Josh Hazlewood
Result: 4-0 Australia
England simply don’t have enough runs in their XI to consistently make scores of 300+ (Joe Root is the only player in his side to average north of 40), while the Aussies should be able to consistently get past the 350-400 mark – Steve Smith alone averages 121.75 in the last two Ashes series. Additionally, the fact that not one English bowler would get into the Australian attack means it’ll be hard for them to be better over four innings at any venue.
Lachlan Geleit