AUSTRALIA
Phillip Hughes
The left-hander bats with the outward appearance of a tail-ender, but strikes as sweetly as anyone – two centuries against South Africa prove it. This series will be a true test of his unorthodox technique though, with the reverse swing of Flintoff and Co.
Mitchell Johnson
The well-built speedster is an intimidating prospect – just ask South Africans Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis. Smith had both his hands fractured by the left-arm seamer within three months, while Kallis had his chin split – so England's hitters be warned. Johnson can bat too and already has a Test hundred to his name.
ENGLAND
Andrew Flintoff
The sole survivor from the bowling class of 2005, Flintoff will hope to rediscover the form that made Australia's Adam Gilchrist admit: "There's no question he and his bowling tactics were inside my mind that series, and I knew I'd hit rock bottom when one night I rolled over in bed to give my wife Mel a kiss goodnight and all I saw was Freddie bloody Flintoff."
Kevin Pietersen
It was four years ago that the England batsman was given a chance to make his Test debut in the first Ashes Test at Lord's, where he scored half-centuries in both innings and went on to notch 158 in the final Test to secure the series for the hosts. KP will no doubt be relishing the challenge to lock horns once again with the Australians.
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