WHEN the Central Western Daily’s sports journalists were given the task of predicting how the 2015 Ashes series would play out they responded with a hearty, “Challenge accepted”.

One then went about Googling “Ashes look-a-likes”, another researched Prince Charles, and the third took the chance to relive Australia’s 2001 win.  

After this intensive research, they finally came to a unanimous decision: Australia will win in 2015.

I WOULDN’T be a McGrath if I didn’t tip a 5-0 Ashes victory for Australia.

Weather permitting in the Old Dart of course, Michael Clarke’s outfit is well on track to completing an Ashes rout on enemy soil, the first series win in England in 14 years when champions McGrath, Warne, Gillespie, Gilchrist, Ponting and skipper Steve Waugh secured a 4-1 result.

I can hear Warnie preparing his post-series interviews already ... how thirsty are you? 

But I digress.

To be fair on Clarke and the 2015 tour party, his side isn’t at the same almighty level as Waugh’s ‘01 mob.

But it is in form, which is crucial.

Coming off a colossal Australian summer, Steve Smith is undeniably the world’s best batsman and while England will back themselves to have his measure when he walks out at No.3, Smith’s eye alone will see him score enough runs to help Australia amass over 400 in each first innings.

If Australia is to win the series though, it has to be off Clarke’s Spartan. The skipper will score 500 runs this series, at the minimum, to be the Ashes’ leading run scorer.

With the ball, Johnson is fancied. Lyon monotonous. Hazelwood prodigious.

But Mitch Starc is the bowler Australia simply has to unleash.

A phenom with the white ball - his World Cup was astounding - now is Starc’s time to prove he’s capable enough to be just as damaging with the red cherry.

The venom his 150 kilometres per hour in-swingers boast is a sporting marvel akin to watching Pat Richards kick 51 metre field goals.

Either way, Australia’s squad is vastly superior to an English one headlined by the Sherminator, Dave Warner’s sparring partner and Steve Finn, a bloke more likely to be a long lost member of Crowded House than have any real impact with the duke on his home soil. 

There you have it. I’m convinced. Australia 5-blot.

How thirsty are you?

Nick McGrath’s prediction: Australia 5-0.

ENGLAND had one hope of winning this Ashes series ... and I’d wager he’s sipping a rum cocktail on a beach in the West Indies somewhere.

Without Kevin Pieterson, the English are sitting ducks.

Despite the fact Australia hasn’t won an Ashes series in the Old Dart in 14 years, I’ll go as far as saying a victory is almost guaranteed for Michael Clarke and his troops.

The only factor which put even the slightest bit of doubt in my mind was Ryan Harris being forced into retirement.

Don’t lambast me just yet, it was the tiniest seed of doubt. Miniscule, like Joe Root’s head.

Seriously, look at it.

Outside being a dead ringer for Ellen DeGeneres, his head is tiny. It’s way out of proportion.

I’m getting off topic.

The current crop of baggy greens is as close to a complete unit as Australia has boasted recently, while England has been a rabble.

In fact, the English squad is as good an indicator of Australia’s favouritism as anything.

Alastair Cook holds little danger with the bat, or as a captain.

Ian Bell is a sophisticated sex robot, sent back in time to change the life of one ... wait ... either way, the Sherminator won’t do much.

Ben Stokes is a real danger, but he’s also a red head with a tribal tattoo. ‘Nuff said.

Root could score plenty of runs but his teenage girl looks creep me out, and while James Anderson is all class I think he’s brittle mentally.

Stuart Broad could go all Andrew Flintoff on us, but I doubt it. Jos Buttler, Gary Balance and Steve Finn are okay at best.

The best thing about the rest of them is Moeen Ali’s beard, so I won’t bother.

Look to Michael Clarke to lead the runs, and Josh Hazlewood the wickets.

There’s one sure-fire guarantee though - I’ll be drinking 25 cups of coffee a day for the next six weeks, and my Tweet count will explode.

#ShaneWatsonforPM

Matt Findlay’s prediction: Australia 4-0.

THE Ashes may officially start tonight but the English were trying to throw our Aussies off their game before the first ball had even been bowled.

It was all presented as a delightful media opportunity, but we all know sending in Prince Charles to meet and greet the Australian team was a ploy.

Apparently the Prince of Wales asked a lot of questions about Aussie strike bowler Mitch Johnson. It would seem Chuck isn’t aware cricket is a team sport.

He was clearly doing reconnaissance work on the Aussies but became distracted by his own helicopter and forgot to ask about anyone except Johnson. Amateur.

Here’s what I think will happen in the 2015 Ashes.

Chuck’s insight will deliver nothing and Australia will win the first test in Cardiff. The English will target Mitch Johnson and try to make him angry. Johnson will get angry and he will seek revenge by glaring at them and taking wickets ... lots of wickets.

The second Test in Lord’s will be feisty, but the Aussies will win handsomely, with Steve Smith and Dave Warner putting on a 250-run partnership.

This will really make the English grumpy and they will score a tight win in the third Test at Edgbaston.

Of course they will celebrate their victory far too much and forget they have to play the fourth Test at Trent Bridge where the Aussies will hand them a thumping on the back of a Michael Clarke century.

Just to round things off, Australia will cruise to victory at the fifth Test at The Oval and Shane Warne will be barred from conducting any post-match interviews.

Australia will retain the Ashes and everything will be right and good in the sporting world.

In saying that, there is one thing you can safely bank on for the Ashes - the Barmy Army will be in full voice and they will be hugely entertaining.

Michelle Cook’s prediction: Australia 4-1.