Australia are now at their most vunerable for decades, but we will only know if their dominance is at an end - if other teams take over their mantle as world leader.

In theory (and I say theory) if England get Flintoff and Harmison in any sort of form in 2009, and Bell can learn to perform against the Ashes - then England SHOULD have a chance of reclaiminng the ashes in 2009.

In the real world no team has yet come up and said - "hey we are now capable of being#1".

__________________
Ern

Sorry Ern, I don't share your optimism.

Yes, Australia are weakened but they're still strong enough to turn over this current England side many times over with or without an on form Flintoff and Harmison. And if Moores is still around at the next Ashes - expect another England thrashing.

Flintoff is actually becoming a liability in my mind with his injuries and England need to deal with his absence positively and stick with it. If that requires a change of tactics and or personnel then sobeit, but plonking Bopara in as a 'supposed' Flintoff repacement pretty much shows what Moores thinks about that situation! Good grief.

As you may be aware, I'm also a big fan of Harmison, but even I'm beginning to run out of patience with him, if he cannot produce consistently good performances Test after Test, get rid of him and bring in someone who can put in those performances. Tests are won by hard work and consistently good performances - not by 1 good Test out of 6. Without Flintoff, England cannot carry anyone - they all have to put in good performances and if they can't, get rid of them.

I'm also getting weary with the excuses for poor performances from England, with everyone pointing the finger at Flintoffs injuries. England are not a one player side and things don't get put on hold just because one player is injured.

If England lose the next Test series against NZ, Moores is gone in my mind.

Ashes 09 talking about early predictions

England still has to remove

Hayden, Jaques, Ponting, Hussey, Clarke and Symonds

Before they can get excited about trying to rattle Haddins cage.

Another matter of interest. We here in Australia already know that we will have Lee, Johnson and Clarke in the mix for pace bowling spots. The names Harmison and Flintoff sound about as set in stone as the names Tait and Hilfenhaus do down here.