McGrath tipping England to win Ashes (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

McGrath tipping England to win Ashes

6:30am Wednesday 8th July 2009 in

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Anthony McGrath has nailed his colours to the mast and backed England to regain the Ashes.

The Yorkshire captain has predicted a close series, but believes Andrew Strauss will be the one lifting the famous urn at the Oval on August 24.

“Although I think it’s a difficult one to call, I have said all along that I think England will win 2-1. I am going to stick with that,” said the 33-year-old, who played four Test matches in 2003.

“If England get a lead, I don’t think Australia will be able to come back. The early part of the series is crucial.”

McGrath, unlike his Yorkshire team-mate Andrew Gale, believes spin will play a big part.

“That is the beauty of a big series like the Ashes, everyone has an opinion on it,” added McGrath. “It captures the imagination.

“England have plenty of options. They can go with spin, they can use reverse swing if the pitch is dry. The likes of Anderson, Broad and Flintoff are all good exponents of that.

“Australia are a much-changed side, who perhaps don’t quite have as many options.

“When you think that England still have the likes of Ryan Sidebottom waiting in the wings, they are by no means one dimensional.”

The lack of Australian options has perhaps been highlighted to a certain degree over the last 48 hours with the news that Brett Lee could miss the first two Tests with a rib injury.

As a batsman you would surely much rather face Ben Hilfenhaus than a fired up Lee, despite the fact that the former performed well on the recent tour to South Africa.

You just get the feeling that an injured Lee will disrupt Australia’s plans more than, say, an injured James Anderson would England’s.

With Yorkshire in the predicament they are, slipping further and further into the LV Division One relegation dogfight, McGrath may not perhaps be able to enjoy the series as much as he would have hoped.

The Tykes are back in training today after a few days off following their Somerset mauling.

They will be looking to get it out of their systems against reigning champions, and current leaders Durham at Headingley on Friday.

“When there is a big cricketing event on it is always on in the dressing room. We catch bits in rain breaks and so on,” said McGrath. “But we have got to make sure that we are fully focused on our own performances.”