Australian TMS commentator Jim Maxwell: “I love speculating about Ashes series and this one in particular. It’s a long time since Australia have won here, but on this occasion I am confident that Australia will win decisively. On the back of some outstanding batting from Steve Smith and David Warner, who will relish the booing from the terraces, Australia will win 3-1.”
Former England assistant coach Paul Farbrace: “It will come down to which team bats the best. England’s middle order is so strong, and I expect them to get the majority of the hosts’ runs. I expect Jimmy Anderson to have a fantastic impact and I think Moeen Ali will be key with both bat and ball. I expect England to win 3-2 to round off a memorable summer.”
TMS commentator Isa Guha, a Women’s Ashes winner: “After such a disappointing time in Australia last time around, England will be hungry to regain the urn. They had a scare against Ireland, but Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes will come back to strengthen and there is competition among the pace bowlers. It will be close because Australia have the bowlers, not to mention Steve Smith and David Warner coming back and wanting to prove a point. England will win 2-1.”
Womens’ World Cup winner Ebony Rainford-Brent: “All five Tests will have a result – I can’t even imagine that most of them won’t be sorted in four days. I’ve got England just ahead because of their home record in Ashes Tests. Their bowling attack has so much depth, so that attack will find a way to win in English conditions. That’s not say the home side don’t have problems, especially with the top order, so it’s good that Joe Root has moved to number three. Australia have a sniff, but my gut feeling is 3-2 to England.”
Former England spinner Vic Marks: “It will be 3-2, because draws are out of fashion, no-one can bat and there are a lot of good bowlers around. Unless the heavens open, we’re in for a cracking Ashes, five results, and the winners only being confirmed at The Oval. A key factor is whether England can get to about 80-2 in their first innings often enough. If, and it is quite a big if, they can do that, they will edge it.”
TMS commentator Dan Norcross: “Eighteen months ago I said Australia would win 4-0 unless their bowlers got injured. I thought Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc would be too much for England’s batting. Since then, nothing has changed – and Australia now have James Pattinson too. However, if Australia do have some injuries, it will make things tighter. It will either be 4-0 Australia, or 2-2, depending on the fitness of the tourists’ attack.”
TMS commentator Alison Mitchell: “It’s going to be an up and down series. Neither side has an established and stable top order, though the return of Smith and Warner certainly makes Australia much stronger than they were in their last home summer, when they struggled against India. England have match-winners, but they have been relying on their middle order for runs – that might not be enough. It will be 2-2, with one weather-affected draw, meaning Australia retain the Ashes.”
TMS commentator Simon Mann: “It’s a hard series to predict because both batting line-ups will be vulnerable to the Dukes ball. England have been forced to revamp their top order again and further changes during the series would not be a surprise. There are also question marks over the fitness of their bowling attack. England can win, especially if their World Cup players like Jofra Archer can rouse themselves again. But Australia have a decent chance of retaining the Ashes, or even winning their first series in England since 2001. It will be 2-2.”
Australian writer and broadcaster Geoff Lemon: “We can look forward to one of the classic Ashes series – two ropey batting teams and two very good bowling attacks. They will bowl each other out relatively cheaply, so expect carnage with the ball and the odd standout performance with the bat. Jos Buttler will do some special things with the bat and James Pattinson will win Australia a Test with the ball. It will come down to the last Test and will be drawn 2-2.”