Hayden: definately Harmison. What he needs to do is work that channel outside off stump, short of a length as the cut shot is not Haydos strengt. Meanwhile have a deep fine leg readyand then bang a bouncer shoulder height on off stump at him - not to often, say every second over. A frustrated Haydos will not be able to help himself and providing it is quick enough it is a good chance of skying it to fine leg. In any case the bowlers need to keep that line outside off and deprive him of easy scoring oppurtunities. Frustrate Hayden and ypu will get him
Langer: Hoggard. The key to Langer is his footwork is not the best as is the same with all West Australians. Pitch the ball full and wide of off stump and regularly keep it there. He will leave a few but will gett annoyed with the line before to long and have a swipe with a good chance of a nick to slips. Mix that line up with some dead straight ones pitched up on middle. Langers a shuffler and gets out LBW often. Hoggard has the control to achieve this tactic.
Ponting: As above with Langer. Nervous starter, has very average record in England and falls over to off stump at the point of delivery. Good chance at LBW early but if he gets his eye in and feet moving - look out. Must pick him up early. Nothing pitched up at half-volley length, must be shortof a length at the minimum ond outside off
Martyn: Unlike the previos three is very patient and will wait for the loose ball. Only real weakness is lack of footwork. Loves the square drive but often hits it uppishly. Wide of off stump, full, and pack the gully point region with at least three fielders. Ducks onder short deliveries and is waste off time and energy bowling short at him. Full and wide of off stump for this guy.
Kattitch: Don't rate the guy and would rather mow the lawn than watch him bat. Put mental pressure on him by sledging him about his lack of shot making ability. VERY patient but allows the bowler to get into a rythym and puts pressure on the batter at the other end to make the running. Good square of the wicket with both pull and cut shots but weaker on the drive. Pitch up to him and keep the slips packed as well as a short mid-off.
Clarke: Have not seen enough of him to think of any notable weaknesses. Has all the shots but that is what gets him into trouble as he always tries to play them all. Question marks over his ability on seaming wickets and has a poor county record.
Gilchrist: To be honest i have no answers for him and would hate to captain against him. If it is his day, it is his day and be prepared to chase leather. Probably Giles is your best chance. Protect the square boundaries ie deep squareleg, midwicket, point and extra cover. Mid on and off about half way to the boundary and encourage him to play lofted drives. Pitch the ball up and have a deepish gully and floating slip and hope for the mis-hit to deep extra cover, gully and floating slip.
These are some of the tactics i would try if i had the unenviable task of captaining England. Basically the key to taking down the Aussie bats is to deprive them of their oppurtunities to play their natural aggressive game. Frustrate them out - they have huge egos and don't like to be tied down in the scoring department.
Engalnd would be well served to bowl defensivly and bat aggresivly - the Aussie bats hate to be tied down and the Aussie bowlers hate to be attacked.

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Admin - Link to original thread in the Pakistan forum: Test Tactics for the Ashes
Nominated by Mongoose.