Shouting from the Hop

The second Ashes test starts tonight at The Adelaide Oval, and England captain Freddie Flintoff will be hoping for a change of fortune.

The omens are better for England, but they stilll have to compete with the Aussies for much more of the match than they did in Brisbane.

The signs are that Monty Panesar will play, but this will be pointless if England's batsmen fail to put enough runs on the board during their first innings. It needs to be noted that during the last series, England's fortunes changed on the morning of the second test, when McGrath stepped on a ball, and twisted his ankle. Now we hear McGrath is doubtful with an ankle injury (blistered heel - ahhhh!). As the Aussies tend to play just four bowlers, he cannot be risked if not 100% fit, a good sign for Flintoff's team.

If England can win the toss, a McGrath-less Australia could struggle to dispose of England if they bat as they did in the second innings at the Gabba. Cook, Pieterson, Bell, and Collingwood all got runs in that match, and Flintoff and Strauss got in before getting out to poor shots - they cannot afford to do that again.

I have very fond memories of Adelaide and it's Oval. It is a beautiful ground, with the spires of the local Cathedral visible across the road. My first visit saw a truly great game, as England were set over 400 to win, and clawed there way slowly toward a victory, only to be denied in the last session, with the match finishing in a draw. Gooch and Atherton put on almost 200 in that match - happy days! It was also Mark Waugh's debut and he got 100 typically.

Four years later, England went one better and did win. This tme, us Poms had to bowl the Aussies out and a fantastic catch by Phil Tuffnell set the team up and it was umpire Darryl Hair who gave the final wicket out LBW to Devon Malcolm. Oh we partied that night! This was also the game in which the Barmy Army first came to prominence, sporting Mitsubishi sponsorship! T-shirt sales in South Australia have never been so high!

In 1998, Alex Tudor bowled well, but England lost, and four years ago, after Michael Vaughan hit 180 England succumbed to Warne's spin.

This year I forecast a draw, with England batting well first up, but being overtaken by the Aussie score, then still getting enough to ensure a draw. The short square boundaries should suit Pieterson, and hopefully Harmison will bowl straighter than he did when Bundy fuelled in Brisbane!

Any failure to get enough runs would really show England up, and this is the only hope of not getting a thorough beating in the series.