Australia can still land killer blow

Just when it appeared the once undisputed world champions would be left bloodied on the canvas after losing a Test series at home for the first time in 17 years, Australia's new generation rose like the phoenix.

Now, having revenged a rare southern summer failure by thumping South Africa's glass jaw of arrogance in their own country, the Australians have arrived in England with an excitement and confidence befitting their achievement.

Only this time the names who did the damage were not Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath, Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist, but Phil Hughes and Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle and Marcus North.

Hughes, is a home spun left-hander, the son of a banana farmer who, at 20, created history by becoming the youngest player to score a century in each innings during his second Test in Durban last March.

And during this difficult transitional year Johnson has soared from trainee to tearaway, carrying a disjointed attack on his surprisingly broad shoulders.

During his retirement press conference Michael Vaughan singled out Johnson as the most impressive of Australia's rookies. "I wouldn't fancy facing him," he said.

The start Hughes can give Australia with the bat and Johnson with the ball during the First Test in Cardiff this week will be pivotal to deciding this series.

So, too, will the support tyro paceman Peter Siddle can offer. A country boy from a family of champion wood choppers, 24-year-old Siddle has the wholehearted, Merv Hughes hit-the-pitch approach without the moustache, waistline or histrionics.

The trio are among a host of Ashes tour debutants in the 16-man squad, with only captain Ricky Ponting, vice-captain Michael Clarke, Simon Katich and Brett Lee having previously played Test cricket in England.

While Australia will have a strong pace attack regardless of the combination, it's riches to rags in the spin department, with Shane Warne and Stuart MacGill retiring a year apart, taking with them more than 900 Test wickets.

Now Nathan Hauritz, a journeyman off-spinner plucked from the New South Wales second XI to revive an unlikely Test career, is the sole spinner but may still be a spectator this week.

For the first time in a generation England have the spin advantage.

If you want to pick a winner, flip a coin. It looks that close.

Malcolm Conn is chief cricket writer of The Australian.