Right - here we go, the Ashes 2009

England have won the toss and will bat - looks like decent weather there - cloudy, but its high, flufy clouds, not the sort to get the ball swinging.

England go with Swann and Monty - so 2 spinners.
Australia have left out Stuart Clark, so they have stuck with the attack used in South Africa.
Apparently both captains think the pitch will turn.
The forecast is mixed, with rain and sun fighting for attention, and more wet conditions predicted for the end of the week.

No beer so far - still a little early - and, I'm still waiting for my delivery from Sainsburys. I'm wondering if 100 quid on beer is a bit excessive, but it works out as 25 pounds per test, or 4 pounds per day if it goes to 5 days and could spend the fifth day watching the highlights again if a test finishes early.

Tests 5
Days 5
Total Days 25
Cost Of Beer 100
Cost Per Test 20
Cost Per Day 4

As well as watching on TV, I will also be following the Over By Over coverage from the Guardian: OBO

Predictions - could be close, will come down to how well the Aussie bowlers cope with the English conditions, and how the English batsmen respond. If they play to their full strnagths the two sides are evenly matched, and I think it will be pshcholigical as much as anything - same as in 2005 and 2006/7. If England beleive that they can win, then it could happen. So the first session is key - I predict that whoever wins the first session, will win the series - again same as in 2005
and 2006/7 .

It's getting exciting.