Aussie side...

Batting is poor apart from Clarke and Watson.

Bowling has potential, surprised no Hilfenhaus.

1 spinner, that is concerning. English pitches need a spinner and they have brought 1!

Agreed, can't believe Hilfenhaus has been left out. Batting looks very sparse, considering Rogers was recalled I'm not sure why Jacques didn't get a look in either. Glad to see Bird and I'm really hopeful Harris can play the whole series as he is our best bowler.

NO MITCHELL JOHNSON

Jaques is struggling for Yorkshire at the moment. But, it's a fair point. If he kicks on, he may end up with a call up at home point.

Just amazed Hilfenhaus has been left out in English conditions. I think a few English batsmen will be pleased to hear that, however that will be tainted by the fact Mitchell Johnson misses out. The Aus batting does look sparse but i think the call up of Rogers is a great shout, will be like batting at home for him. So pleased to see Harris involved, he is such a cracking bowler and could make a huge difference. Cracking series coming up, 2-1 England.

No Mitchell Johnson

Agree with you on Hilfenhaus beardedwonder, hasn't he been struggling with injury though.

5-0 no danger.

Hilfenhaus has always impressed me. He has all the attributes to do well on English soil as well.

Strange.

Comment Deleted by Site Moderator

Hilfenhaus has been in average form for some time now. Bird is probably just about as good/better than him already.

This squad is infinitely better than the army of urine-takers that were brought to India. The only outright weak links are Hughes and possibly Watson, whereas the Indian squad carried Doherty, Smith, Henriques, and other timewasters.

The pace attack is especially good. Siddle and Pattinson are genuinely among the best 10 fast bowlers in the world (or even best 5 outside of South Africa); Starc is erratic but can be a real handful if he gets it right and he has the ability to bowl an outstanding Wasim Akram-esque yorker as well (see the one where he did Chandimal in the SCG test earlier this year). Bird is a good solid option who is a fair bit like McGrath- line and length all day long. Harris, if he plays at all, is the best bowler in Australia by some distance. Johnson has hit good form in the IPL (lol) but he's entirely a confidence player.

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/warner-in-hot-water-for-swing-at-rival-20130612-2o431.html

What a shambles Australian cricket has become.