England gamble on injured contingent

The response to England's Ashes squad announcement exactly a year after the Ashes were won back after 16 years and eight barren series has drawn critical acclaim from the British media. The final squad was no real surprise, but the decision to appoint Andrew Flintoff as captain has been seen as the bravest decision by the selectors.

A strong, imposing captain is essential in Australia, which is why the selectors chose Flintoff, writes Derek Pringle in The Daily Telegraph.

The Times' Simon Barnes heralds the choice of "special" Flintoff as England captain to defend the Ashes for his ability to strike fear in the opposition and inspire his team-mates.

Martin Johnson, Pringle's colleague, feels England's plan for success will see Australia lose their shine:

This time, Australia is in such a lather of anticipation that you wouldn't be too surprised to see the Barmy Army waved through the fast track diplomatic channel en route to a live interview with Channel Nine's Today Show.

Writing in The Guardian, Mike Selvey feels that England's mini-army for the Ashes tour is a good idea after the shambles of the previous visit down under.

England will be going to Australia with the sort of multitudinous collection of stars and extras that would have had Cecil B de Mille turn emerald with envy. Sixteen players will form the main party but billeted in self-catering accommodation in Perth will be a further 14 - the Academy squad - waiting to scramble at a moment's notice should any of the main men suffer injury or infirmity.

And in the Mirror, Mike Walters had no fear that England's walking wounded would be an issue for the captain:

Six months ago in India he managed to make a silk purse out of the sticking plasters and bandages holding a ravaged squad together.

Alastair Cook says it's the realisation of a boyhood dream to be going out to Australia with the task of retaining the trophy