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[Joe]

Cummins has played 1 game, hardly enough to judge how good he is, Bollinger has played 12 most of which have been against NZ, Pakistan or West Indies neither of which boast an even half-decent batting line-up. Harris looks very good, but has only played 8 tests which again isn't enough to judge his prowess fully.

[Village Trundler]

Steady on! I didn't say "on par", I am just saying with natural improvement they are not THAT far behind.

Fourth and fifth seamer, well I think we have some reasonable ones who could take a wicket or two:

Doug Bollinger test bowling ave 25.92
Ryan Harris test bowling ave 21.37
Patrick Cummins test bowling ave 16.71

Shame 2 of them are out for the whole summer and the other one averages about 60 in the shield this season

In actual fact, I agree that Australia are not too far behind (or even behind at all) in terms of ability...... Just the English planning and execution was far superior in the last 2 ashes series. The whole "don't wildly slash at stuff outside off" never sunk in for Australia...... Mitchel Johnson was on an epic crusade to hurl balls all over the shop and the selectors were self-destructing picking Hughes and Steve Smith for vital roles.

Neither team are really that impressive...... England just are doing the basics very well, and Australia are hardly doing them at all.

[100 not out]

Why does world cricket need a strong Indian team?

Yes I would prefer to see the best teams in a contest but teams strength ebs and flows

Because India is an emerging economic power and they have alot to offer. The blame has to lie with the curators the tracks are docile and batting paradices no lateral movement at all. They need to get their batting accustomed to the moving ball.

[Vic Nicholas]

Cummins has played 1 game, hardly enough to judge how good he is, Bollinger has played 12 most of which have been against NZ, Pakistan or West Indies neither of which boast an even half-decent batting line-up. Harris looks very good, but has only played 8 tests which again isn't enough to judge his prowess fully.

Agreed!

My point is, how many tests have Tremlett and Bresnan played in comparison?

[uknsaunders]

Swann got plenty of wickets against Pakistan, they can play spin. Wasn't he the leading english wicket taker in the SA series over in SA. Being the no2 side in the world I suppose that doesn't count. Swann's success in oz, as already mentioned, was limited after Adelaide by the wickets produced.

[uknsaunders]

Agreed!

My point is, how many tests have Tremlett and Bresnan played in comparison?

They have played Aus/India/SL - real minnows. Bres played Bangladesh away, a seamers paradise lol

[Vic Nicholas]

Shame 2 of them are out for the whole summer and the other one averages about 60 in the shield this season

In actual fact, I agree that Australia are not too far behind (or even behind at all) in terms of ability...... Just the English planning and execution was far superior in the last 2 ashes series. The whole "don't wildly slash at stuff outside off" never sunk in for Australia...... Mitchel Johnson was on an epic crusade to hurl balls all over the shop and the selectors were self-destructing picking Hughes and Steve Smith for vital roles.

Neither team are really that impressive...... England just are doing the basics very well, and Australia are hardly doing them at all.

On your final point, I respectfully have to disagree.

England are a very well balanced team that is in the right age range to have great success over the next three to five years.

Trott and Pietersen are genuine superstars and the rest all perform their roles to perfection - even Swanny, who bowls thousands of overs to tie up an end and let the fast men do their stuff from the other end.

The very fact that Australia relied on Ponting and Hussey to win this test should not be lost on anyone. Neither will be playing in the next Ashes series, so Australia has to blood a reliable top six fast.

The bowling department and the keeping department (Paine or Wade) will be fine...the batting on the other hand is years away from being solid.

That is why I think England will win the next two Ashes series.

[Village Trundler]

Bresnan has a freakish record...... 10 tests, no draws, no losses, 10 wins.

Lucky fat Yorkshire lardo.

[Vic Nicholas]

Swann got plenty of wickets against Pakistan, they can play spin. Wasn't he the leading english wicket taker in the SA series over in SA. Being the no2 side in the world I suppose that doesn't count. Swann's success in oz, as already mentioned, was limited after Adelaide by the wickets produced.

Given that Sri Lanka is giving SA a bath in SA, I dunno that they carry that much currency any more.

Also, Hauritz took two fiver fers (in a three test series) against Pakistan as well...your point is?

[alba caerulea]

Would most international batsmen prefer to face Tremlett or Bollinger? It wouldn't take a team meeting to figure that one out.

I don't judge merely by stats Mr Nicholas, I use my eyes aswell. Its hard for Swann to pick up too many 5fers when the fast men are bowling sides out for paltry totals. When England have needed him he's taken the wickets. And I only said he was better then Lyon which is undisputable. Ask Marcus North if Swann can bowl!

By quoting bowling averages you are comparing Ryan Harris with Dennis Lillee and Waqar Younis - are you serious? Cricket (and this can be related to all team sports) is not about individuals having inflated averages its about winning matches and Engalnd have been doing alot more of that than Australia of late

[alba caerulea]

Also, Hauritz took two fiver fers (in a three test series) against Pakistan as well...your point is?

The selectors should've stuck with him, hes alot better bowler and bat than Lyon

[Hads45]

Englands attack is lightyears above Australia. But I think Siddle doesnt look so bad when he doesnt have a bowler leaking 5 an over like Johnson as it doesnt take the pressure off.

Anderson is the best bowler between the two sides, and Swann is lightyears above Lyon. The biggest difference is in however the batting. If you picked a combined England/Australia batting lineup then Cook, Strauss, Trott, Pieterson, Bell would be the first 5 picked and Prior would be the keeper. Australia might get a sixth bat in there, maybe Clarke/Ponting (Who were both made to look village by england last summer).

Englands batsman when they go well score hundreds, australias batsman score 70s

[petehosk]

To be honest, if I picked a batsman to slot into the England top 6, it would be either Clarke or (most likely) Hussey! I know Hussey is older but he still has the class!!

[petehosk]

Plus Hussey and Bell could compare their Kook bats at the same time! 

[Vic Nicholas]

The selectors should've stuck with him, hes alot better bowler and bat than Lyon

Better batsman I agree.

Bowler - about the same.

Hauritz was hard done by.