Several cricket captains from the Devon Cricket League and sports reporters from local newspapers were asked for their predictions for the upcoming Ashes series between England and Australia. Most predicted that Australia would win the series, with predictions of 2-1, 3-1 or 3-2 in Australia's favor. A few thought England could draw the series or even win 2-1, but in general there was skepticism about England's inexperience compared to Australia's strong bowling attack.

1. PAGE 48 The Herald, Friday July 3 2015THX-E01-S2 Tweet us @plymouthherald Message us at facebook.com/theplymouthherald Email us at news@plymouthherald.co.uk@Tweet us @PlymouthSport Message us at facebook.com/theplymouthherald Email us at sports@plymouthherald.co.uk@
Civil aim for
quick return to
winning ways
PLYMOUTH Civil Service and
Roborough are aiming to
bounce back from a narrow
defeat at the hands of C Division
leaders Bridestowe when they
face another tough test at third
placed Chagford tomorrow.
Last week, Civil set the
leaders a challenging 260 to
win, which Bridestowe chased
down with 15 balls to spare, to
win by four wickets.
Fixtures secretary Darren
Bartrop said: “Although we
were disappointed to lose the
game, we took a lot of positives
out of it, and it proved that on
our day we are a match for
anyone in this division.
“Hopefully it was just a blip,
and we are confident we can go
on another run.”
Captain Dan Winsor mainly
keeps faith with the same team
that ran Bridestowe close last
week.
There are two changes, one
enforced, with top order
batsman Ben Wilkinson back in
for paceman James Sharp, who
is unavailable, and middle
order batsman Andy Hawker
replacing all-rounder Chris
Newton, who drops down to
strengthen the seconds, who
gained their first win at
Tavistock II last week.
PCS&R : Dan Winsor (c), Brian
Gaylard, Chris Sanders, Rob Gaylard,
Dan Sanders, Nick Cochrane, Matt
Trevorrow, Nick Read, Simon Light,
Ben Wilkinson, Andy Hawker.
CIVIL Service Roborough
seconds are aiming to build on
last weeks morale boosting win
at Tavistock seconds when they
host South Devon seconds at
Roborough Sports Ground
tomorrow (2pm start).
■ THE Gaylard family would
like to thank club members for
their support and those who
attended the funeral of Hazel
Gaylard, a valued tea lady of the
club for many years who sadly
died recently.
C DIVISION WEST
Try out water
sports for free
SAILING: Torpoint Mosquito
Sailing Club are celebrating the
launch of their new gig rowing
section with an open day next
Saturday (July 11).
There will be free taster ses-
sions of water sports offered at
the club at their base at Marine
Drive, Torpoint, with doors
opening at 12noon and activ-
ities starting at 1pm, weather-
permitting.
There will be a bar, teas and
homemade cakes, stalls, face-
painting and a raffle, with even-
ing entertainment including
live music from 8pm. There is
no admission charge.
Anyone hoping to join a
taster session must be at the
club by 4pm at the latest, and
preferably bring a change of
clothes. Everyone is welcome
but all children aged under 16
must be accompanied by an
adult and you will have to be
aged eight or over to take part in
a taster session.
Devon League skippers say
England need to urn Ashes
SHAUN DAYMOND
Tavistock CC capt
I THINK the Australians will win
convincingly. We might scrape a few
draws to prolong the series but I am
not optimistic. Draws are possible but
I can’t see us winning any matches –
the Australians are just too strong at
the minute. This England side is
obviously still on a rebuild after recent
failures and this Ashes series might
come too soon for us.
PREDICTION: 2-1 Australia
SCOTT MANSFIELD
Plymstock CC captain
WELL, you can guarantee a couple of
tests will be rained out and hopefully
England can nick a draw or two but we
just can’t compete with Australia in
test cricket right now.
One-day cricket is a different story
but that Australian bowling attack is
too strong. Johnson destroyed us last
time and it could be the same again.
The only player I think can stand up
to that sort of attack is Root, but we
don’t have enough of his type. It could
be closer than I’m saying but I’m not
that optimistic – the Aussies are too
strong.
PREDICTION: 2-1 Australia
RICH WEST
Yelverton Bohemians CC captain
I WOULD like to say that England will
win but they probably won’t. England
are very inexperienced at the minute
and that will hurt us – although if
Cook and Root can grab some decent
totals and maybe even be top scorers
in the series we obviously have a
chance.
Hopefully they perform because if
they don’t we could be in trouble – the
Australian bowling attack is just too
strong. Also I think England not
having a recognised test spinner is a
serious worry.
PREDICTION: 3-1 Australia
GARETH ANDREWS
Ivybridge CC captain
I’D LIKE to think we can beat them,
but I think, unfortunately, Australia
are strong favourites.
I think we are too prone to a batting
collapse and we are going to get
bowled out for not a lot.
I am also concerned about Ian Bell’s
form and even Alistair Cooke,
although he’s got better recently.
Mind, in the one-day series I thought
we’d get hammered, but we did quite
well.
I’m not saying we can’t win, but
we’ll have to be 100 per cent on it for
every session.
PREDICTION: 2-1 Australia.
BILLY BARRIBALL
Whitchurch Wayfarers CC captain
OVERALL, I would say I’m optimistic
about this Ashes series.
England played well in the tests and
one-day internationals against New
Zealand and I think we can carry the
momentum into the Ashes and pull of
a victory. Those few good results will
help us, so I’m feeling confident.
PREDICTION: 2-1 England.
SAM STEIN
Plymouth CC captain
IT’S GOING to be a tight series
providing England play aggressively
like we did against New Zealand.
If we do that we could be in with a
chance. I do think that the Aussies are
too strong though and it will be hard
for us to regain the Ashes. I have a
feeling their bowling attack might
walk all over us.
PREDICTION: 3-1 Australia
DARREN BARTROP
Fixture sec, Plym CS & Roborough
IF YOU had asked me this question a
month ago, without any hesitation I
would have predicted a 3-0 win for
Australia.
But after the way England
performed recently, in Tests, ODIs and
the T20 games against New Zealand, I
am more optimistic about England’s
chances, especially with the new
brand of cricket they are playing, and
the feel-good factor associated with
it.
England though will have to hit the
ground running in the first test,
continue the momentum they have
built up, and stick to their game plans
throughout the series to have any
chance of regaining the Ashes.
I think it will be a lot closer than
people think, therefore I am going to
sit on the fence, and predict a 2-2
drawn series.
PREDICTION: 2-2 draw
ANDY PHILLIPS
Sports Editor, The Herald and WMN
SORRY to say this, but despite the
morale-boosting results of our clashes
against those nice, friendly Kiwis, I
think we could be in for a tougher time
when the nasty Aussies turn up.
It’s not all Aussies who are nasty, of
course – let’s face it, who could feel
threatened by Harold Bishop?
But Darren Lehmann is a different
matter, as he likes to have his sides
fired up and playing aggressively.
Sledging will be part of that,
something which could really get
under the skin of what is still
essentially a fragile England team.
I think England might nick one test,
and bat out a draw in another, but
that’s as good as it’s going to get.
PREDICTION: Australia 2-1
BILL MARTIN
Editor, Western Morning News
I CAN’T bring myself to think about
Australia winning over here so I’m
going for England 2-1.
To get there I’m relying on Alastair
Cook scoring a mountain of runs,
Anderson knocking over the Aussie
top order and young guns Stokes, Root,
Buttler and Wood delivering above
expectations.
We will also need a couple of
Australia’s aging stars to fall over, and
for newbies like Hazlewood and
Mitchell Marsh to get first Ashes stage
fright.
England’s top order getting runs
will be the key, and it’s a massive
series for Ian Bell.
PREDICTION: 2-1 England
PAUL BURTON
Editor, The Herald
IN 2005, England won the Ashes with a
blistering pace attack, a half decent
spinner and a strong batting line-up
flawed at No3.
Australia have similar merits and
flaws in their probable XI and I can
sadly see their pace helping them lift
the little urn – but not with the
walkover Glenn McGrath is likely to
predict.
If we can draw in Cardiff and gain
some momentum, then a repeat of 2009
isn’t unfathomable
PREDICTION: Australia 2-1
SAM BLACKLEDGE
Chief Reporter, The Herald
I’M HEARTENED by the positive
cricket England appear to have
discovered of late, and Trevor Bayliss
seems like he will bring a thoughtful
and measured approach. In Root,
Buttler and Stokes, we have some of
the most talented cricketers of their
generation, and I expect them to
provide some wonderful moments
through the summer. However,
Australia are still extremely powerful,
and will hope to reopen the scars from
2013-14. Smith, Lyon, Haddin, Warner,
Starc and Johnson have proven
records, while the Marsh brothers
appear to have a bright future.
PREDICTION: Australia 3-2
JACK WILMOT
Sports Reporter
IF WE are going on history, England
tend to perform quite well on home
soil which gives me some optimism,
but I just think Australia’s bowling
attack will be too much for England.
They have a host of fast bowlers that
can do damage. I think Root and
Stokes could do well for us and help us
challenge to an extent, but the lack of
experience could be detrimental.
PREDICTION: 2-1 Australia.
■ With the Ashes
getting under way in
Cardiff next
Wednesday, Herald
Sport’s JACK
WILMOT has asked
skippers in the Devon
Cricket League for
their predictions. He’s
also grabbed the
views of cricket fans
here in The Herald
offices for good
measure...
RIVALS: Alastair Cook and Michael Clarke before the start of the last Ashes series – they are facing each other once more