The Ashes - head to head
Updated on 07 July 2009
Channel 4 News looks at the strengths and weaknesses of the key players in the Ashes series.
Opening partnerships
AUSTRALIA
Simon Katich has converted himself into a dependable opener, while Phillip Hughes scored an incredible 415 runs in three tests against South Africa, becoming the youngest ever player to score two centuries in a test match.
ENGLAND
Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss are currently test cricket's most experienced openers, walking out together in 40 matches.
Middle order
AUSTRALIA
Ricky Ponting, Mike Hussey and Michael Clarke have not been in prolific form coming into the Ashes.
Ponting has only one century in his last 11 tests while Hussey was ruthlessly exposed by South Africa, but the trio are proven world-class performers.
ENGLAND
Kevin Pieterson should be reinvigorated by the contest. Ravi Bopara and Paul Collingwood both have something to prove but early runs should keep their places.
All Rounders
AUSTRALIA
A plethora of injury problems to Shane Watson and off-spinner Nathan Hauritz's worrying lack of form are likely to force the tourists to turn to part-time spinner Marcus North as their all-rounder.
ENGLAND
Andrew Flintoff is fully fit but whether he is on form with the bat is yet to be proven.
Wicketkeepers
AUSTRALIA
Brad Haddin replaces Adam Gilchrist. The New South Wales man is a competent keeper with an agressive batting style.
ENGLAND
No question Matt Prior can bat but his glovework and footwork can still let him down.
The pacemen
AUSTRALIA
The tourists have pace in abundance with Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus, along with the metronomic Stuart Clark.
ENGLAND
Expect to see a good helping of reverse swing from James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Graham Onions and Tim Bresnan.
The spinners
AUSTRALIA
No Shane Warne to contend with this time. Nathan Hauritz is no comparison having taken just two wickets at a cost of 260 runs in warm up matches.
ENGLAND
Graeme Swann is currently the leading wicket taker in test cricket this year with 26. Monty Panesar's slow left arm spin is now firmly second choice.
Captains
AUSTRALIA
Ricky Ponting has lost just nine test out of 56 as skipper but has recently been criticsed for being short on ideas.
ENGLAND
Just seven months into the job, Andrew Strauss seems to have restored order to the England dressing room but he will have to suffer comparisions witht he recently retired Ashes winning captain Michael Vaughan.
