At this time of year it is common-place for commentators of all interests to make predictions as to what is to happen in the upcoming year.

Which new band is going to make a breakthrough? How will Gordon Brown’s year play out? Which players will break through into Premier League stardom?

I have looked forward to arguably the two biggest British sporting events this summer, the Ashes and the Lions tour to South Africa -  and made my suggestions as to the crucial battlegrounds in both contests and the possible outcomes.

The Lions in South Africa: The last time this unique team visited the Springboks, a hugely entertaining series ensued against the then world champions, highlighted with Jeremy Guscott’s winning drop goal in the second Test. This time, with South Africa again World Cup holders, the combined forces of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales will try to achieve the same feat.

Ian McGeechan will lead the side for the fourth time, along with a very potent coaching set-up of Warren Gatland, Shaun Edwards, Rob Howley and Graham Rowntree.

In their own backyard, South Africa are going to present a mammoth task but after the autumn there are encouraging signs for McGeechan. Both Scotland and Wales ran the Boks close, and when bolstered by the strengths of Ireland and England the Lions will be a highly formidable force.

The pack, and especially the back row, will be a key battleground, and I think Wales and potentially Lions captain Ryan Jones will play a crucial role. Likewise the contest of arguably the two best wingers in world rugby at the moment – Bryan Habana and Shane Williams – could ultimately decide the battle.

What I want is a close series, removed from the politics of the 2005 New Zealand tour, with fast, expansive rugby, ultimately resulting in a repeat of 1997 and a 2-1 Lions victory.

The Ashes: I hope the England v Australia confrontation can catch the imagination of the British public as it did in 2005: but with inflated ticket prices, and the series not being broadcast on terrestrial television, I fear this won’t be the case. I am also concerned that the Twenty20 World Cup, which takes place in England immediately after the Tests, will turn new cricket fans away from the five-day form of the game in favour for the shortened, shotgun version.

Focusing on the pitch, I want to see the same excitement that was so prevalent when Michael Vaughan and his men won the urn three-and-a-half years ago. Australia are a far weaker side with the losses of Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Adam Gilchrist, who they are struggling to replace. They are missing not just their ability but also their personalities and the fear which they struck into the opposition.

Likewise, England aren’t as strong as they were, but after an encouraging Test series against India, and what should be two winning series against the West Indies, Kevin Pietersen's men should reclaim the Ashes.

I want to see a dominant England, with a cutting edge that they have been lacking to close out matches. I would love to see the emergence of Stuart Broad as a high-class all-rounder. The Notts and England bowler has all the potential to fill a role similar to Ian Botham and Freddy Flintoff and give the tail-end that extra bit of batting stiffness that Gilchrist did for the Aussies for so many years.