Commentators, journalists miss the key problem for England's upcoming Ashes campaign. The batting is good enough to post a commpetitive score. Strauss, Pieterson, Collingwood, even Cook have good records against Aust. So from 1-7 there is no lack of options. The spinning dept is also ok. If Flintoff recovers from injury he would be a good back up bowler but even he has not taken a five for in Test cricket. England won the last campaign on the back of a strong 4 pronged pace attack. This summer there is Anderson whose averages against the top 2 countries Aust ( 82.60), SA (39.25) and Harmison 42.97 & 54.77 respectively. This is the problem. No Jones. Harmison & Hoggard not up to it this time.The selectyors made the right decision in going for youth. Unfortunately it will not be enough this time. The Aussie bowling is just to strong and experienced They have no shortage of young fast guns just itching to get stuck into the enemy. Sheer pace versus a pop gun attack! Who would you bet on?

First Test Team: A. Strauss, A. Cook, O. Shah, K. Pietersen, P. Collingwood, R Boapara, M. Prior, S. Broad, G. Swann, J. Anderson, S. Harmison This would be something that we could be looking at for the first Test but England do have to sort out problems of Number 3,6 and 11 definitely before the Ashes.If belly gets some consistent runs in domestic/international then he is far useful than Shah/Vaughn who is still struggling.If Bopara consistently performs then he too could be the solution for Number 3 after freddy returns.Its high time now Harmisson starts to tie his shoe laces up and deliver otherwise the selectors should start looking at the performers in county cricket.

England continues to make the cardinal mistake of looking past the series against the WI Team towards The Ashes. They stand the real chance of being disappointed again. England needs to honestly assess its capability and current form and deal with one series at a time. They should start by simply looking at the ICC Rankings and considering whether they are of the calibre to seriously challenge for The Ashes.

Familiar problems indeed. I don't see the point of Vaughan, the Australians would have discarded him long ago. On balance, Bell is the best option. He's scoring runs, seems hungrier than before and is more likely to have a long-term future. The bowling is harder. Giving Harmy a longish spell at Durham is a good call. I might go with two spinners plus Broad, Anderson and probably Mahmood to see if he's likely to succeed later in the summer.

I am surprised to see some of the posters supporting Vaughan ahead of Bell, but it will be very short sighted selection if at all that happens. To me the possible squad looks very sensible and Bell started the season with bang. Sure he will be the future in both forms of the game. You must need Bell quality in the sqaud as he posses enormous potential and compact technique, it will be a matter time (just a couple of matches) Bell will come good and will be a match winner. Vaughan was a good player ibut now he is a 30's, 40's runs man. I would feel he will earn same amount of money (if not better) if he chooses to sit in the commentary box with Athorton, Hussain and Sir Ian Botham. I would recommend the ECB to handover the Vaughan's central contract to some one who can be potential future. No point in wasting time.

On the bowling front Hoggard should be given the chance to come back. Mahmood wasn't the best on the Lions tour of NZ -- that was Davies, who's not been playing (is he injured?). Also, with the injury situation why not include a younger prospect in the squad -- anyone see Chambers against the Windies a few days ago, how good??

I can't see twenty wickets in that squad when the aussies come back hey. The aussies are building another dynasty around Clarke, Johnson & Hughes and there's no way a Zimbabwean lead England team that's getting old anyway to be fair is gonna have the arsenal or the legs to go with Australia.

Bell doesn't seem to have the temperament or consistency for test cricket, especially tough test cricket, while Vaughan, of course, does. Therefore, I'd go for Vaughan and Bopara and leave Bell out. Harmison was the danger man from England's last ashes triumph so has to be considered again. He's not that old, is he?

I have to say most of the squad pick themselves, but maybe give Vaughan 3, Bell 6 (a place he's well used to and scored many centuries at!) Bopara will have to wait (again, sorry!). As to the bowlers!! It's still early doors and conditions may well suit some of those supposed "horse for courses". I would keep Broad, Swann and Anderson add Lewis of Glos have Mahmood carry drinks (So he remembers when Lewis should have played early season v Sri Lanka after taking 11 wickets in Lions/A match!!) and Harmy can revive his desire by taking lots of wickets for Durham. In fact the 4th Bowler is really the only difficult decision? Broad, Swann and Anderson have already had good results, Harmy and Mahmood have been mixed, so look further afield and Lewis would fit the bill. He has England experience (albeit within the Fletcher years!!) and in early conditions can be lethal against batsmen unused to the conditions (Sri Lanka a case in point!).

I would favor the selection of Michael Vaughan for the the test squads this summer. Even though he is not captain anymore, Vaughan was instrumental in the 2005 success and possesses an excellent record in ashes contests. Apart from his record against Australia, Vaughan is an extremely high quality performer. Last summer was very tough and emotional, but since then he has been completely rejuvenated and has shown glimpses of his best for Yorkshire. Even though he has told the media that he wants only his form to be considered for selection, it clearly is not going to be the only deciding factor for his selection. His past record is just too great to be overshadowed.