My prediction for the Ashes

I think England will probably win two of the five Tests, but I also think Australia will probably pick up two. I reckon it will be a two-all draw, Australia retaining the Ashes.

- Rick Eyre, BBC Radio Five Live, 21.6.05

I said it on radio last month and I'll stick with it now. The England-Australia Test series will finish in a 2-2 draw, which means Australia will retain the Ashes.

I really do think it will be closer this time around. It's almost compulsory for England to win one Test in the series while Australia are picking up three or four. This time around, however, I reckon there is just enough improvement in the poms, combined with the advancing years of the aussie team, so see the home side come out on top twice.

It's just that they won't win more Tests than Australia.

Anyway, I've put my money where my mouth is, and placed a fiver on a 2-2 draw at 7-1. (If you're game enough, a wager on a 0-0 draw or an England clean-sweep, both currently 100-1, could be worth a bash.)