Ashes 2009 Favourites? England Have Enough Problems

It probably hasn't gone unnoticed but Australia are having a bad time of it. Currently 0-4 from the last six tests and no spinner in sight, things aren't getting any better with key personnel in Lee and Symonds injured. The seam attack is looking pretty bare with the prolonged absence of Watson and the batting is decidely out of touch bar Ponting. So it should be a good time for England to strike, shouldn't it?

For England, a home series record of won two lost two in the last two years doesn't make great reading. Especially when the victories were against the Kiwis and Windies. Add to this mis-firing batting unit, a continuing question over balance and an out of form spinner. England's problems are less of a concern but then again they are only fifth in the rankings.

England have test series in the Windies which they ought to win, so form permitting the usual suspects ought to be around come summer. Doubt's still surround Bell in the batting and whether Broad as a menacing seamer in the bowling.For my money england are a better unit as a five man bowling attack of which flintoff, harminson, and anderson will be turning up.

Broad adds balance to the batting but at the moment is neither a hoggard or a harminson with the bowl. The Pansear question is interesting as he was outbowled by Swann in India. With Rashid being added to the Windies party, not a known spinners tour, one can only assume the selectors will use monty on a more one off basis at known spinning venues.

This gives England an interesting option of playing the likes of sidebottom, hoggard, jones as a fourth seamer at swing friendly venues and opting for swann at eight or indeed Rashid. 

The breaking news of Pietersen being clearly unhappy with Moores won't come as a surprise to many supporters. Since last winter, many observers have questioned Moores lack of experience of the highest level and englands poor record in tests against the top four.

Clearly some of englands cricket lacks a certain "streetwise" aspect to it and it may take a change to tighten englands game. Indeed the management behind the england team may make the difference come ashes 2009. Certainly England may have a better chance with the likes of Moody and his knowledge of the australians.

We can be pretty certain that there will be plenty of ups and downs before mid-summer.