Bold Predictions as Hosts Preview the Upcoming Ashes Series
The much-anticipated Ashes series is finally upon us, and the latest episode of Chin Music has set the stage for what promises to be a seismic encounter between cricket’s oldest rivals. Hosts Steven O’Keefe and Moises Henriques sat down to dissect the squads, the pitch conditions, and the potential for a historic shift in momentum.
The Injury Impact
With injury clouds hanging over the Australian camp following the withdrawals of Josh Hazlewood and Sean Abbott, the conversation quickly turned to how a reshuffled bowling attack might cope against an aggressive England side. Henriques noted the significance of the missing personnel, stating that the English batters will be "much happier that Brendon Dogget’s playing rather than Josh Hazlewood."
O’Keefe’s Shock Prediction
O’Keefe, taking a controversial stance on the outcome of the series, has tipped the visitors to reclaim the urn. "I’ve come out and tipped England to win this series 3-2 and I’m tipping them to win the first two," he said, citing the evolution of the England side under the Stokes-McCullum regime. "I think they’ll get the momentum that what they need."
The Joe Root Factor
A central theme of the preview was the battle of the superstars, specifically the form of Joe Root and Steve Smith. Henriques believes the absence of Australia's premier seamers in the first Test provides a massive window for the English master. "He’ll be the happiest man in that batting order that Hazlewood and Cummins aren’t playing this first test," Henriques observed. "If he gets off to a heater in Perth I’m a bit worried about what can happen."
Battle of Temperaments
The hosts also debated the merits of England’s "Bazball" approach in Australian conditions. While O’Keefe believes the aggressive mindset is exactly what is needed to win away from home, Henriques warned that Australia’s veteran middle order remains the team’s greatest strength. "Uzi, Marnus and Steve are probably the only three batters that we have that can go 'you know what I’m just not going to get out today'," Henriques said, highlighting the grit required to weather a 140kph-plus barrage.
Predictions
As for the first Test in Perth, the predictions couldn’t be further apart. O’Keefe expects a bold English victory to silence the Optus Stadium crowd, while Henriques is backing the home side to find a way through. "I’m going to go Australia 3-1," Henriques predicted, adding a specific "bold" forecast for the opening day: "I’m saying yeah torn hammy day one" for England’s Mark Wood, suggesting the physical toll of the series will be felt immediately.
Whether England’s brave new brand of cricket can finally end a 15-year drought on Australian soil remains to be seen, but as the hosts concluded, the country is "so hungry to see this first test" in what feels like the closest contest in over a decade.
Watch the full episode on Fanatics TV.
