Lehmann doubts England's bowling potency

Darren Lehmann believes England's trumpeted Test bowling attack lacks the firepower to dismiss Australia twice. After watching the one-day series as a commentator, Lehmann told the Herald Sun that Steve Harmison and Andrew Flintoff would need "unbelievable" series to take back the Ashes.

In a potentially worrying sign for England, Lehmann decided Harmison was already looking worn down after playing nine limited-overs matches. "If I were England, I would be slightly concerned," he told the paper. "To me he looked tired at The Oval, almost as if he has bowled too much already." Harmison leaked 81 from 9.5 overs as Australia sealed the NatWest Challenge on Tuesday.

"Harmison and Flintoff have looked the part in the one-dayers, but on Test-match wickets I don't see England having enough firepower to take the 20 wickets," Lehmann said. "Matthew Hoggard has to come into the equation, but if England are going to stand a chance, Flintoff and Harmison not only have to have a good series with the ball, they have to have an unbelievable series."

Lehmann, who understands what it takes to win the Ashes after playing bit-parts in two contests, also thinks England's batting is starting to look suspect. "Whereas we have seen the Australians slowly but surely come into form, the English seem to have gone in the opposite direction," he said. "Australia were always tuned to peaking on that first morning of the first Test and they have been trying to hit their straps in the one-dayers. Now England are the ones who have to find some form and get back to where they were less than a month ago."