FTM Disco Pants

There is no doubt that the Adelaide Test showed a real gulf in class between the current England and Australia sides, perhaps the greatest mismatch in recent memory, but is that because England are so good or because Australia are so bad.

Should England retain the Ashes then Andy Flower and Andrew Strauss will, rightfully so, take all the plaudits. There is no doubting that the squad of players have prepared superbly well for this series and to a man they look in fine nick. But perhaps they have also hit it lucky and stumbled across one of the worst Australian teams in living memory.

Mike Hussey and Brad Haddin aside the batting line-up has crumbled under the slightest hint of pressure. The bowling attack has been so toothless that there are even calls for a 41-year-old Shane Warne to make a return to the side; even in his pomp it is difficult to say whether he could carry a team as poor as the current Australian one.

Marcus North and Xavier Doherty look certain to be replaced for the third Test and presuming the calls for Warne’s return are only press speculation that should mean Nathan Hauritz goes into the team.

Stuart Broad’s injury is a bitter blow to England but at the same time gives the selectors an opportunity to showcase the strength and depth of English cricket. I am sure that we won’t be hearing calls for Darren Gough or Dominic Cork to return to the side.

So, although England should be applauded for their long and meticulous preparations for this winter’s Ashes series, I think that it is more a case of Australia being so poor that sees the tourists set to win the Ashes down under for the first time since 1987.