England will go in to Australia above them in the ICC Test Rankings in fourth and fifth respectively.
Going back on history, England haven't won a series down under since 1986-1987 and Andrew Strauss and co are looking to add a little bit of history of their own by retaining the Urn.
As per, the pre-Ashes mind-talking games' have already started. Young bowler Steven Finn and top-order batsman Kevin Pietersen have already been targeted by Ricky Ponting but with KP's experience, he will brush this aside, and let his game do the talking (fingers crossed). This will be a different ball game for Finn. The Middlesex seamer has shown his potential, most notably versus Test minnows Bangladesh and troubled Pakistan. But the Australian deck will offer something different than those in Bangladesh and in England. The deck will be harder and the pace will be quicker. His inexperience going down under will come as an easy target for Messrs Ponting and Michael Clarke.
England:
Let's take a look at The Ashes squad to go down under, and I will tell you who should be in the First Test.
Andrew Strauss, Captain: Without a doubt, the Middlesex opener will be leading at the top of the order. With an average at 43.11, you can't dismiss the fact he's had a whirlwind year and an half. Took over the captaincy from KP, he hasn't put a foot wrong since. A key-man to get out early, once Straussy gets going, he can destroy anyone in the world once he is on top of his game.
Alastair Cook: Essex left hander has struggled for form this summer. An average of 42.78 boasts an impressive return, but on what will be a batting track Down Under, Cook will have to prove his worth in the touring squad this winter. He may get away with it as he and Strauss are the only opener's in this side, but Kieswetter and Jimmy Adams, both unproven and inexperienced will look to push Strauss for the number-two spot.
Jonathan Trott: South African born Trott who plays for Warwickshire has had a sensational year and a half, coming onto the scene in the Ashes Series in England, hitting a ton at The Oval. I believe he will be at number three, unless something dramatic happens, an anchor man who can bore the bowlers to death, he will thrive on the Aussie decks. An average of 55, you can not afford to leave Trott out.
Eoin Morgan/Kevin Pietersen: Now here's a number four place you can debate about. Do you go with an Irishman who hasn't been bedded in fully yet on the test scene, or do you go with the off-form, vulnerable Kevin Pietersen, who will be inevitably be targeted by the Aussie pacemen and the Aussie crowds. KP desperately needs runs. He's dried up, and Morgan has proved himself back home, but as mentioned above, Down Under is different to the English wickets. I'm undecided about slots 4/5, I will let you decide, but if I had to choose, KP would just pip Eoin.
Paul Collingwood: Experienced cricketer. Colly boasts an impressive average at just under 50 in Australia, but his recent form suggests otherwise. Along with KP and you could say Strauss as well in the troubled-series versus Pakistan, he couldn't buy a run. Again, he is one you can't rule out, along with the lads who had been selected to tour. I believe 5 belongs to Collingwood, who has the ability to anchor the innings if the top order collapse.
Matt Prior, Wicket-keeper: Yes for me. I am a massive fan of Prior, as I am of Ian Bell. Two similar players with the same prowess. A wicket keeper must score runs as well as the ability to stand behind the sticks. Also, a wicket keeper is a number seven bat. That's what I believe anyway. This boy has proven his worth over the years, scored centurys' versus many big nations, with the top order, and even with the tailenders, with help from Broad, Swann and Panesar before.
Graeme Swann/Stuart Broad: Hmm. In all due respects, they can be considered all-rounders. If you like anyway. Broad has scored runs at eight. He has also scored runs at nine. Knowing Broad's background, he represented Leicestershire CCC Academy as a youngster, as an opening batsman. So he is no mug with the bat. He does have his off-days, but when needed, Broad can show what he can do with one Test century to his name. On the other hand, Swann. Broad's team mate at Nottinghamshire CCC. He can bat too. But maybe not as dangerous as Broad, but he can be stubborn at the tail. The ability to frustrate the bowlers, he can play too. But who do you put where? For me, Broad goes above Swannn at eight, Swann at nine. Just so long Broad keeps his head screwed on, Broad can have a massive impact in Australia, not just as a seamer, but as an all-round batsman too.
Swann would be my only spinner. OK, there has been talk of the Aussie deck starting to offer spin, but I would go with a seam attack. But you have to take a spinner, and on form and ahead of Monty by a long mile now, Swanny would be my first and only choice spinner. Second in the ICC bowling ranking, the right areas and set field and he could rip through the Aussie top and middle order. BROAD 8, SWANN 9.
Tim Bresnan: Yorkshire's very own. He's had a good year for club and country. I believe he has earned his right to be in the squad, adding to the three-seam, one medium and one spin bowling attack. I wouldn't go with Tremlett. Unbiased this time, he doesn't offer a great deal for me. The only assistance he would get would be the deck, but he isn't a potential wicket taker who could take 3-5 wickets a test. Bresnan offers a little more. A skiddy bowler is Tim, the Aussie's now know a little more about this lad, but he has to get the line and length right along with his field. There are no margin for errors here for Bresnan, get it wrong, and the batsman would destroy him.
Jimmy Anderson: Crowd favourite Jimmy Anderson. Anderson had played only three one-day games for Lancashire when he was hurried into England's one-day squad in Australia in 2002-03 as cover for Andy Caddick. He didn't have a number - or even a name - on his shirt, but a remarkable ten-over stint, costing just 12 runs, in century heat at Adelaide earned him a World Cup spot. The Burnley-born bowler hasn't looked back since. Only 28, Anderson may be considered a veteran of the side, especially of the bowling attack. He's been there, and done that has our Jimmy. He will be leading the attack for me. The ability to reverse swing, can emulate Matthew Hoggard as a front-line swing seamer, and could cause chaos for the Aussie batsman.
Verdict:
This is going to be one hell of a series for those involved. It will be close. You will not see a whitewash from Australia. You won't see a demolition job. This will be closely contested. Sledging, banter and all sorts, expect the lot. There will not be a dull moment Down Under, I can assure you of this. For us England hopefuls, we can only watch something spectacular this winter, but fingers crossed, let's hope Strauss could do the unthinkable, and bring home that little Urn for the first time since Mike Gatting and co.
I'll go for a 3-2 win for England. I just hope I haven't jinxed them..
