Marsh - England selectors have got it right with KP

Rod Marsh believes that Kevin Pietersen is the right choice for England for the first Test. Pietersen, 25, has been included ahead of Graham Thorpe, ten years his senior, in what the chairman of selectors, David Graveney, described as "a very close call." Marsh, England's academy director, believes Pietersen poses more of a threat to Australia than Thorpe.

"Pietersen is a hell of a good player," Marsh told BBC Sport, "and the Australians will fear him. They have already seen his ability and particularly his hitting power and he adds a new dimension to the team. I think Australia would rather have Thorpe in the side than Pietersen, that's for sure."

Allan Border believes that Pietersen's inclusion is correct, but that ultimately Australia will have the edge. "England has made a statement of intent by plumping for attacking, youthful exuberance, which is exciting," said Border, a former captain of Australia. "However, I think the Aussies still have too much. The bowlers are well matched, bar the Shane Warne factor, but Australia has the edge in batting and this is where the game will be decided."

But Mike Gatting believes the focus shouldn't be on Pietersen, but on other players in England's side who he sees as the key performers. "I would have gone with Thorpe," Gatting, the former England captain, said, "but I suspect, bar injury, we may have already seen his last Test match for England. The real matchwinners for me are Andrew Flintoff, Steve Harmison and Michael Vaughan. If these three show their top form, England can win."