What do the Australian's think will the team to face England come 2009 then? Is it likely that McGain will be the spinner, or will it be someone like Casson? Who will be the fast bowling attack do you imagine? Let's say these were the teams for the series:
England:
Alastair Cook
Andrew Strauss
Ian Bell
Kevin Pietersen (C)
Paul Collingwood
Andrew Flintoff
Matthew Prior (WK)
Stuart Broad/Ryan Sidebottom
Stephen Harmison
James Anderson/Ryan Sidebottom
Monty Panesar
Australia:
Matthew Hayden
Phil Jaques
Ricky Ponting (C)
Michael Hussey
Michael Clarke
Shane Watson
Brad Haddin (WK)
Brett Lee
Stuart Clark
Mitchell Johnson
Bryce McGain/Beau Casson
I think the series would be incredibly open, and incredibly close if these were the 2 teams. Australia's batting order is stronger, until you reach 6 and 7 who are very unproven in Test Cricket, but they do have talent, as proven by their FC records. I think the problem for Australia will be taking 20 wickets. Brett Lee's struggled to take wickets in India and looked out of form, Stuart Clark although high quality is getting older and injuries are starting to creep in, Mitchell Johnson is the worst pace bowler in the list from both teams, and then Monty Panesar is a far more established bowler than both McGain and Casson.
If Australia get rid of Johnson, who will get eaten up in England, as you need accuracy and consistent swing to be effective in England, Johnson doesn't have either of these things, raw pace doesn't get you through in England. I also think that Shane Watson needs to develop his bowling if Australia are going to be able to take 20 wickets consistently. I don't think the 4 bowlers on their own will do it. England's pace attack will not be scared of Australia's illustrious batting line-up. Matthew Hayden has struggled in England in the past, and has a repuation for struggling when the ball swings or seams, hence the relatively poor record in both England and New Zealand, by his standards anyway
Ponting has shown weakness against Sharma, and if Stuart Broad can develop enough to be consistently threatening, then he could have Ponting in trouble, as he and Sharma are fairly similar bowlers, with Sharma getting slightly more seam movement, with Broad tending to bang the ball into the surface more. Hussey's a gun, and England will need to find a way to get him out consistently, not exactly sure how though tbh. Then Michael Clarke had a terrible time in England last time round, he's a far better player now though, so he could have a good series.
It's going to be close. The gap between the sides that was evident in 2005 has gone. Johnson, McGain/Casson, Jaques and Haddin have nothing on McGrath, Warne, Langer and Gilchrist, and that's alot of talent to lose. Although saying that, I wouldn't mind Gilly in the side in England, he was Freddie's bunny in 2005 =D. I think Australia's fans will be expecting a walkover and another 5-0 win, but it's not going to be as easy as that. Pietersen has installed a winning formula and mentality, and is yet to get beaten as full England captain. It's going to be an immense series, and I can't wait. Roll on 2009.
![Grin :D :D](/forums/styles/planetcricket/xenforo/smilies/biggrin.png)