I actually feel Ponting and Vaughan is too close to call considering the records between Eng and Aus From SH Have your say on TMS

BBC Sport runs the rule over the possible XIs, and rates the players against each other.

Michael Vaughan One of the lone positives on England's last Ashes tour was the performance of Vaughan, who hit 633 runs at an average of 63.30. Twenty-four of his 55 caps have now come as captain but he has managed just four of his 13 centuries since taking over from Nasser Hussain.

Ricky Ponting He may not have repeated his form of 2003, when he averaged over 100 in Tests, in his first year as captain as he failed to reach three figures once. But Ponting celebrated the New Year with a stylish 207 against Pakistan in Sydney, proving he is uncowed by the extra pressure.

Advantage: Ponting

Marcus Trescothick Innings of 132 and 180 against South Africa showed Banger at his best. But Australia believe they have his number after Glenn McGrath exposed a technical deficiency last time around.

Matthew Hayden It is six months since Hayden reached three figures in a Test. Against New Zealand and Pakistan this season he has made a habit of squandering starts.

Advantage: Trescothick

Andrew Strauss Among active players only Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar have higher averages than Strauss, who had made 1246 runs in 12 Tests by the end of the South Africa series. Australia will hope Langer, his former captain at Middlesex, knows something no Test player so far has: how to get Strauss out cheaply.

Justin Langer One of the favourites as Australia's player of the year, Langer has never looked back since becoming an opener during his last Ashes tour. The left-hander enjoyed the purplest of patches at the end of last year when he followed his 215 and 46 against New Zealand with 191 and 97 against Pakistan.

Advantage: Too close to call

Robert Key Capable of making massive scores in fine style - witness his 221 against West Indies - Key is also capable of blowing a good start with a soft dismissal. An injury replacement for Mark Butcher in South Africa, he failed to do enough to cement his place at number three in the order.

Damien Martyn One of the lower-profile members of the team, the stylish Martyn is by no means unproductive. Centuries in the first and second Tests against Pakistan nudged his batting average over 50, and all those runs come at a good rate.

Advantage: Martyn

Graham Thorpe Turning 36 before the second Test, Thorpe is determined he has one Ashes series left in him. He appeared short of form in South Africa but still managed an unbeaten 118 in Durban and a vital 86 in the final Test.

Michael Clarke Nicknamed 'Pup' for his boyish enthusiasm, Clarke celebrated his Test debut last October with a century in India. And he then became the third Australian to score centuries on his first Test appearances home and away with a ton against New Zealand.

Advantage: Clarke

Andrew Flintoff If the Ashes were tomorrow, Flintoff would probably put off his ankle surgery and haul his aching limbs through the first half of the series before collapsing. England's hopes of winning the series rest on Flintoff, and with his record of being slow to recover fans will not breathe easy until he proves he is fit.

Shane Watson Australia view Watson's development as key to bringing balance to their side, but he has been slow to realise his potential. He made his Test debut at the end of the recent Pakistan series but took just a single wicket and made 31 with the bat. Darren Lehmann could take the spot.

Advantage: Flintoff

Geraint Jones Jones' selection was motivated by England's desire to have a Gilchrist of their very own, and he has fulfilled that in places. South Africa proved a tough tour, though, as his attacking batting came off only once, with 73 in Durban, and his glove-work was suspect.

Adam Gilchrist At the end of the last Ashes series in England, the hosts still had a question-mark next to Gilchrist's name on their list of how to dismiss batsmen. Has he mellowed since? Pakistan saw him smash 113 off 120 balls with 14 fours and five sixes in Sydney. That would be a no.

Advantage: Gilchrist

Ashley Giles In 2003, a TV viewer emailed the studio to ask "What is the point of Ashley Giles?" In 2004, Giles proved his point with 38 wickets in 12 Tests and much improved batting. Against an aggressive Australian side, though, his left-arm spin is likely to be used to tie up an end rather than as an attacking option.

Shane Warne If the Ashes were a year ago, Warne would be unavailable, serving a 12-month ban after testing positive for an illegal substance. But the break has done him no end of good with his 75 wickets in 13 Tests since returning putting him well ahead as Test cricket's most successful bowler ever.

Advantage: Warne

Matthew Hoggard Days do not get much better than Matthew Hoggard's in Johannesburg, when he ran through the South African order for a magnificent 7-61. When there is swing on offer, Hoggard is a match-winner but he is still working on his consistency when conditions are not in his favour.

Glenn McGrath Australia's most successful pace bowler ever was being written off a year ago as he struggled with a back injury. But his date of birth - he turns 35 in February - counted for little against Pakistan in Perth, when he took a career-best 8-24.

Advantage: McGrath

Steve Harmison England are confident a return to the UK will see Harmison back in the form that saw him ranked number one in the world. His recent displays, though, gave little hint of the paceman who terrorised West Indies. He took nine wickets in South Africa at an average of 73.22.

Jason Gillespie Australia's other opening bowler has also been below his best form this season, with 15 wickets in six Tests against New Zealand and Pakistan. Crucially, though, he has kept his economy rate well under three runs per over, while Harmison was up at 3.45.

Advantage: Gillespie

Simon Jones Jones the Steam has not displayed express speed since injuring his knee in the opening match of the last Ashes tour. A useful exponent of reverse swing, he can struggle when the conditions are not in his favour, but with 15 wickets in South Africa he proved fine support.

Michael Kasprowicz Glamorgan last season had to choose between Jones, who had been discharged from the Test squad, and their overseas star. Jones stayed in the pavilion. Kasprowicz' strong domestic form saw him recalled to the Test side last March and his 47 wickets since have kept him above Brett Lee in the pecking order.

Advantage: Kasprowicz

Australia win 8-2 on direct player comparisons. 1 tie.

After the one-day series in South Africa, England have time to recuperate with two months off before the start of the season.

Australia travel to New Zealand next month after a lengthy home summer but if they continue their recent winning ways, should still be in fine fettle by July.

Player for player, the Aussies would appear, on paper at least, to remain stronger than England.

But a lot could change in seven months.