by ben
2. January 2011 10:51
For the first time since 1986/87 when I was but two years old we are entering a dead rubber test in the Ashes and England aren't the defeated team. For years I accepted the fact that England had two chances of victory in an Ashes series: the first test when all was still to play for but any win could be wiped out by consecutive thrashings thereafter; and the final test when the Ashes were already conceded and the victory was but a pointless fillip to watching fans.
Now, with the tables turned, I expect England to show no mercy to this weakened Australian side. Swann has had a relatively quiet series and it makes England's dominance all the more remarkable that they have achieved it without their premier bowler firing on all cylinders. I think Swann will come to the party at Sydney and continue the celebrations he started on Tuesday night. His line at CricketBetLive is 116.5 and I am on the over.
One man who will not be affected by celebrations, or jubiliation, or the glory of playing in a victory lap test at the SCG is Jonathan Trott. The balding Warwickshire man will remain in his little bubble and I'm on the over for his points* line of 72.5 at CBL.
To combat England's single great spinner Australia have tried to bring in two shit ones. As if the filth that we saw Piggy Smith chuck down at the MCG wasn't enough he's back for another opportunity to showcase his woeful batting technique and shithouse half-trackers. To back him up from the other end the Aussie selectors have gone with Michael Beer, a man who has never played a game at the SCG. He's only allowed in the side because Ponting isn't captain and therefore can't put his foot down about it anymore. Warne to Beer in four years, what a catastrophic fall. You can pick up the free money on their unders at 70.5 on both of them.
Good luck.
* 20 points per wicket, 1/run, 10/catch, 25/stumping.
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