Huddersfield's Aussies give their Ashes verdicts
Jul 8 2009 by Roy Wright, Huddersfield Daily Examiner
Ronan Bruce Slaithwaite Age: 30 Origin: Newcastle, NSW Prediction ... 2-1 Aussies
"I MIGHT have been here 10 years now (via Ireland), but there’s no question – Australia will win.
"I’m a little bit concerned bowling-wise, because we don’t really have any reliable spinners, and with the retirement of Warney (Shane Warne) and McGrath (Glenn) there is not that top quality anymore, which is why this series will certainly not be a runaway.
"On the positive side, I think Ricky Ponting’s still in pretty good shape, although there may just be some problems elsewhere, but I’ve no doubts it will still be an Australian victory."
Steve Abbott Paddock Age: 22 Origin: Perth Prediction ... 3-1 Aussies
THE Paddock all-rounder’s prediction may seem confident - but it’s more conservative than his 2005 prediction!
"Last time we were over I said it would be a 5-0 whitewash . . . then I looked a right idiot!
"This time I’m going for a 3-1, to us of course!
"I know we’ve lost some big-time players, but we have enough players of experience and quality to make up for those who have retired, and I’m backing Mitch Johnson to be one of our big players in this series."
Like Hainsworth at Slaithwaite, Abbott has some first-hand knowledge of one of Australia’s squad, he has played against Marcus North.
"We both played in the Perth League, and I actually dismissed him in one game when I was playing for Gosnells and he was playing with Bayswater."
Abbott will be taking a very close interest in this year’s Ashes series, having already booked tickets for the Third Test at Edgbaston and the final day’s play at Headingley.
"I’m just hoping England can keep it going and ensure it lasts than long!"
Nathan Brown Huddersfield Giants coach:
"It has got to be Australia. To be honest I would take 1-1.
"We have got the Ashes and I would take anything that means we hold on to them."
England’s Australian rugby league coach Tony Smith, former coach of Huddersfield Giants and Leeds Rhinos:
"It’s easy. When it comes to rugby league, my loyalties are firmly with England, when it comes to cricket, my loyalties have pretty much stayed with Australia.
"I’ve got a foot in either camp, I can’t lose. I’ll back the Aussies but it wouldn’t be the end of the world if they lost it.
"If it’s as close as it was last time, it would be nice. It was a fantastic series."
