There were some good performances and some ordinary performances

Trevor Hohns

Hohns talks to Ponting

"The heat must wear you down and the pitches are certainly different to here and we have to take those things into account when we're assessing performances leading up to the selection of the Ashes tour."

Hohns indicated selectors might only send seven batsmen, meaning there could be no room for fringe candidates, such as Simon Katich, Brad Hodge and Jamie Cox among a host of others.

There were seven batsmen on the Indian tour, including Damien Martyn who did not play a Test, and they are likely to be chosen en masse.

Selectors would normally arm themselves with another batsmen in a 17-man squad for England but the Australians won't play the usual plethora of matches against county teams.

"The whole tour structure has changed substantially. There is no need to send 17 because you have too many people in the dressing room and too many people to look after," Hohns said.

"We'll probably be looking at 15 and I understand there are plenty of Australians who won't be in that squad but they will be playing county cricket or league cricket and we can call on them if an injury occurs.

Simon Katich: Left at home?

"There would probably be seven batsmen and maybe a couple of spinners but I don't think we would take two wicketkeepers even though it will be important that Adam Gilchrist gets a break.

"We're hopeful and we're fairly certain there will be first-class wicketkeepers playing in England that we can use."

One probable change to the squad is the return of Brett Lee, most likely in place of Michael Kasprowicz, but the fast bowler acknowledges he faces a battle to get back in the side following surgery.

"Gillespie bowled very well over there, he had a great tour," said Lee.

"McGrath was stock standard for him, so it's going to be hard to get back. I just have to make sure my arm's alright."