The Ashes used to be one of sport's greatest treats, prized precisely because meetings between England and Australia happened so rarely.
But, such is the incessant merry-go-round which surrounds international cricket these days and barely two months after Alastair Cook's side retained possession of the cherished urn, the majority of the same combatants will return to the fray in Brisbane this evening.
Given such a swift re-match, one might anticipate that Cook's men would be overwhelming favourites to maintain their supremacy over their traditional adversaries. They have confidence, consistency and the sort of ingrained strut which comes from enjoying a prolonged period of dominance in these contests - and that is even before we consider that Kevin Pietersen is preparing to participate in his 100th Test. Yet there is more caution about most of the predictions in this instance, than prior to the summer campaign, not least as a consequence of the myriad signs that Australia are rediscovering their mojo.
One wouldn't expect Paul Hoffmann, the Rockhampton-born adopted Scot to wager against his compatriots. That would be akin to Jeremy Clarkson pledging allegiance to the Green Party and electric cars. But, while the former pace bowler loves his homeland, he is also a shrewd analyst of the game and believes Michael Clarke's men have a decent chance of upsetting their opponents in the five-match series. Yes, some of his observations may underestimate the threat posed by the main planks of the England line-up - namely James Anderson and Graeme Swann and Pietersen and Ian Bell - but Hoffmann has studied the squads and offered several telling responses in scrutinisng the line-ups.
"England will hate the fact David Warner and Mitchell Johnson are playing, because they give Australia the X-Factor," said the ex-Uddingston all-rounder. "Warner is a much more effective opening batsman on our hard, bouncier tracks [and has amassed a formidable amount of runs in recent fixtures], while Johnson is bowling consistently above 90mph and has improved his accuracy while ironing out the kinks in his action. George Bailey [the former Saltire recruit] will also play an important role, he will give the Australian middle-order some grit.
"As for the spin department, [Nathan] Lyon proved he can toil away and, while he is not a proven match-winner, he has a cool head and can hold up an end while the pacemen do their jobs.
"If I was a selector, I would have picked Ben Cutting, the Queensland fast-bowling all-rounder. Peter Siddle has lost too much weight too fast and looks far too gaunt. He couldn't sustain any pace or consistency in England and has to go. But, overall, I like the blend in the home team and I think they have definitely regrouped under [coach] Darren Lehmann, who has sharpened them up."
In his defence, Hoffmann recognises the menace posed by the likes of Anderson and isn't arguing with Swann's penetration and remarkable record on the Test circuit. He also admired the classical innings unveiled by Bell during the summer and expects the Warwickshire man to be a key figure in the tussles.
None the less, he reckons that the tourists are both undercooked and have made a few questionable selections. "Their preparation has been hampered by poor weather and by injuries to [Matt] Prior and Pietersen," said Hoffmann. "I also believe they have played into our hands by picking too many beanpole quicks. Our guys thrive on bounce and the ball coming on to the bat.
"Steven Finn is all over the shop at the moment and this is a step too far for [Ireland's Boyd] Rankin at this stage of his career. So I can see the Australians winning in Brisbane. I can also them winning in Perth, with draws in Adelaide and Melbourne. England will win in Sydney."
If he is right, it would represent a tremendous rally by Clarke's ensemble, but it shouldn't be forgotten that they have still to register a single Test triumph in 2013.
So, while Hoffmann goes for 2-1 to the hosts, I plump for the same result in the other direction.
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