I see, as everyone does, that Harmison bowling well would be something that would help massively in our efforts to contest the Ashes.. but to be honest.. that will be worth nothing unless he gets decent support: there's no point in having a McGrath one end without a trio like Gillespie, Warne and Kasprowicz the other.

If we're to contest the Ashes I reckon it's going to need someone OTHER than Harmison to get the plaudits: it will take Hoggard being unplayable through controlled and well disguised late swing.. or Giles bowling 35+ overs a day to spell the seamers and build pressure... or some final realisation of the "promise" of Anderson and Jones.

Flintoff? In terms of INDIVIDUAL glory I'm hoping he has already had his days in the sun. That's not so say I'm expecting his performances to do anything other than improve (I'm sure his best is yet to come).. but if we continue with his performances (with bat OR ball) consistently proving critical to our success then this side will - basically - not be ready to contest the Ashes.

For my money... our ability to contest the Ashes is going to depend on a bit more class than Freddie with both bat AND ball: he's (ideally) got to do a job and bring some balance to the side.. but it's Vaughan and Thorpe, the two real class acts, who (assisted to the best of their abilities by the rest) need to keep us in the games with the bat.