The Ashes Begin Tonight

The much anticipated (by me, at any rate) 2009 Ashes begin with the First Test at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, Wales tonight. Heaps of controversy about the location with Ricky Ponting apparently somewhat perturbed about the pitch and calling foul. I mean, who's even heard of Sophia Gardens? The English and Wales Cricket Board pitch panel have and they found it to be sub-standard and concluded that it: "demonstrated excessive turn and should therefore be rated poor". Indeed.

The Teams wont be announced until just before the match but there's still much discussion about who'll be bowling for Australia now that Brett Lee has been ruled out due to torn muscle. I'm hoping it'll be Ben Hilfenhaus and Nathan Hauritz but I suspect Hilfenhaus will be nudged out by Stuart Clark. I think this would be a mistake as Clark hasn't bowled since last December and doesn't appear to have any form. Hilfenhaus, on the other hand, performed admirably in South Africa against the Proteas, has youth and a prodigious outswinger in his favour. Hauritz should be a shoe in as it appears the pitch will take spin (see above) but the selectors may prefer the part timers (North, Clarke and Katich).

At any rate, come 7:30 tonight I'll be sitting in front of SBS, wine in one hand, home made pizza in the other and anticipating some classic Ashes cricket. Yes, I know: tragic, just tragic.