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It's getting closer, the Ashes series is within touching distance and is the hottest topic in town when the pint after work club gather around the watering hole and put the world to rights. Australia are in free-fall, they haven't endured a losing streak like this since touring sides arrived in a boat. England expects!

The paradox is that the hope and expectation is increasing the pressure on the England players and it's a classic case of 'cometh the hour.' It's no good thumping Bangladesh, putting Pakistan to the sword or winning the Twenty20 World Cup if they can't manage to achieve what every English cricketer is put on earth to do - beat the Aussies in the Ashes in Australia!

A team doesn't go to Australia and do 'alright' and come back successful. England are going to have to perform above and beyond their best which means massive individual performances. So who are likely to be the key men?

The first thing that is needed is strong leadership and in the two Andys, Flower and Strauss. Andy Flower will play a crucial role, Strauss needs to perform with the willow and the coach needs to take as much pressure as he possibly can off his skipper. The main contribution that Andrew Strauss can make once the series gets underway is runs. Big scores win matches and first and foremost Strauss is an opening batsman.

He has the temperament to succeed in the cauldron atmosphere that the Aussies create and the experience to help his fellow opener Alistair Cook. Cook seems to have been bang out of sorts for ages, he rescued his summer with a ton against Pakistan but scores of five and nine in the latest warm up game against Western Australia have once again put him under the microscope.

There are seven batsmen Down Under vying for six slots which suggests that the two people who will probably have the most influence on England's batting are coach Andy Flower and national selector Geoff Miller. There can't be any room for sentiment and if the vice-captain isn't in good nick then it may well open the door for Ian Bell.

Jonathan Trott and Paul Collingwood are another two who aren't exactly at the top of their game at the moment. Trott has immense talent whilst Collingwood is gritty and determined and can change the course of a Test match with a spectacular catch. England need both of these players to perform.

The batting line-up is completed by the enigma that is Kevin Pietersen and the explosive Eoin Morgan. If a genie, rather than the amber stuff, were to pop out of the top of a bottle for the pint after work club the sporting wish would be that KP shines in this series. He is crucial, absolutely vital and winning will be a realistic prospect if he hits top form.

With the ball, all the talk is about Graeme Swann and without doubt he will have a huge say in who is triumphant. The expectation bar as far as James Anderson is concerned is set low, he'd almost have to limbo to get under it. The belief is that conditions won't suit him and that he'll probably be the weak link in the bowling attack. If he were to turn that on its head, use whatever cloud cover comes and find swing both ways it would do the English cause a power of good.

That's it then - cometh the hour the following needs to happen: the selectors must show a ruthless streak regardless of reputations. Andrew Strauss needs to lead from the front, KP needs to find some form and James Anderson needs to blow a raspberry at all his doubters. If that happens, the 3.15 available on England to win the series will be like stealing money. We all know what happens if you steal money - you end up Down Under!


By Frank Gregan

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