England are in relatively good form in their tour matches, Jimmy Anderson picked up match figures of 5/85 against South Australia as Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook blasted their way to convincing centuries. England captain Andrew Strauss has been in wonderful form for the Poms, scoring two centuries in the two tour matches played so far. England also play Australia A on November 17-20 before hitting the GABBA pitch on November 25. Even with the good form of England, and the poor form of Australia, Strauss warns his team against complacency

Australia come off a disappointing 2-1 ODI series loss to Sri Lanka. Mitchell Johnson was in horrible form in India and against Sri Lanka, which is a bad sign considering that he is Australia's main strike bowler. Good news on the bowling front for Australia is that Doug Bollinger is now fully fit and raring to go. The Australian batsmen need to lift massively after poor showings against India and Sri Lanka, as Michael Hussey has been put under the spotlight to perform. Australia's top order is a massive concern to the selectors, who pick the squad on Monday.

Past Series Results
2009: England 2-1
2006-2007: Australia 5-0
2005: England 2-1
2002-03: Australia 4-1
2001: Australia 4-1

Australia
Ricky Ponting (c)
Michael Clarke (vc)
Doug Bollinger
Xavier Doherty
Callum Ferguson
Brad Haddin (wk)
Ryan Harris
Nathan Hauritz
Ben Hilfenhaus
Michael Hussey
Mitchell Johnson
Simon Katich
Usman Khawaja
Marcus North
Peter Siddle
Steven Smith
Shane Watson

England
Andrew Strauss (c)
Alastair Cook (vc)
James Anderson
Ian Bell
Tim Bresnan
Stuart Broad
Paul Collingwood
Steve Davies (wk)
Steven Finn
Eoin Morgan
Monty Panesar
Kevin Pietersen
Matt Prior (wk)
Graeme Swann
Chris Tremlett
Jonathan Trott

can't wait. anyone going to the first test ?

Im going to the first day . Might try and head off to the 4th or 5th day maybe...not sure whats doing with tickets or whatever.
Sooo pumped, we are looking very good and Australia is in a bit of a rut atm. Beware of a wounded Aussie test team though.
Should be a ripper series, England 2-1. Draw, England, Aus, England, Draw.

Come on England!!!

England to romp Australia

Haha lucky to all the people who are going. I might be able to get to a day when the Sydney test comes around, would be really exciting to go to.

Will definitely be a tight series, England are probably the better team right now you can't count out the Aussies at home. Hopefully we can pick a good side for the Gabba and start the series off with a good note.

The 13-man squad is: Ricky Ponting (c), Michael Clarke (vc), Doug Bollinger, Xavier Doherty, Brad Haddin, Mike Hussey, Ben Hilfenhaus, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Marcus North, Peter Siddle, Steven Smith, Shane Watson.

Didn't think the selectors would pick Doherty over Hauritz, will be interesting to see how he goes being prodonimently a limited overs bowler. Not too surprised with the rest of the squad, maybe Ryan Harris could count himself a bit unlucky.

Suprised Hauritz wasn't selected. Don't expect Doherty to play though, I think they should go with a pace attack on the quick wicket

I still reckon Steven O'Keefe had done enough with the bat and ball in the Aus A game and he shouldve been selected over X.

Well done Australia, you drop a guy after 1 bad test series, but still have Hussey and North in the team.

Whats more amazing you can win a baggygreen on the back of 1 spell in an ODI and 2 sheild matches..

However I'm happy that Doherty got/will get the nod over Smith.

Clarke may be out with a back injury

Have a feeling that England might get this one.

^ any reason why?

Englands XI will be the following baring any last minute injuries:

Strauss, Cook, Trott, Collingwood, Pieterson, Bell, Prior, Swann, Broad, Finn and Anderson.

England has by far the most settled team on papar with most of their batsman getting runs in the lead up.

It will be interesting to see how much swing Jimmy Anderson can get in Australia. He struggled BIG time in 06/07 when he toured and with the Kookaburra ball combined with Australian conditions aren't known to produce anywear near the amount of swing bowlers get in England. Its good to see England going in with a tall hit-the-deck seamer (Finn) as their 3rd seamer as a result of the lack of swing expected.

Going to head down to the TAB and put money on Bell for the most runs for the series (he seems to cash in when batting at 6) and Swann for the most wickets.

Australia call-up young New South Wales batsman Usman Khawaja as cover for vice-captain Michael Clarke, who is struggling with a back injury ahead of the first Ashes Test.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/the-ashes/australia-call-up-usman-khawaja-for-first-ashes-test-as-cover-for-injured-michael-clarke/story-e6frf3gl-1225958714114

Better preperation, growing confidence and Australia arn't in the best form obviously and I believe maybe that England are more matured mainly with Strauss....don't rate our side a hell of a lot to be frank need to post some big scores consitently.