England's Ashes pen-pics

Regained the urn in his first Ashes series as captain and remains a solid presence at the top of the order. Calm demeanour on and off the field will be vital.

ALASTAIR COOK
Age: 25 Tests: 60 Ashes Tests: 10 Test batting average: 42.78

A poor summer against Bangladesh and Pakistan and an Ashes average of only 26 make him a worry, but England have invested in Cook and his place is secure.

JONATHAN TROTT
Age: 29 Tests: 13 Ashes Tests: 1 Test batting average: 55.00

Marked his Test debut in last summer's final Ashes Test by scoring a decisive century. A class batsman, but Australia will try their utmost to expose any flaws in his temperament.

KEVIN PIETERSEN
Age: 30 Tests: 66 Ashes Tests: 12 Test batting average: 47.80

Which KP will turn up? The entertainer who can be one of the world's best batsmen? Or the distracted figure who struggled all summer? England need Pietersen at his best.

PAUL COLLINGWOOD
Age: 34 Tests: 63 Ashes Tests: 11 Test batting average: 42.18

Collingwood looked out of touch for most of the summer, but he is in the only man in the squad with an Ashes double hundred, while his excellent fielding is crucial.

IAN BELL
Age: 28 Tests: 57 Ashes Tests: 13 Test batting average: 42.92

This is the series that should define Bell's career. Can he become a top-class Test batsman, or will he always lack the mental strength to complement his superb technique?

EOIN MORGAN
Age: 24 Tests: 6 Ashes Tests: 0 Test batting average: 32.00

One of the best in the world in the limited-overs game but yet to prove himself at Test level. If everyone is fit, Bell is likely to be preferred to him.

MATT PRIOR
Age: 28 Tests: 35 Ashes Tests: 5 Test batting average: 42.13

Vital man for England this winter. His wicketkeeping has improved greatly, and he is a good enough batsman to be in the top six if England decide to choose five bowlers.

STEVEN DAVIES
Age: 24 Tests: 0

He is a better batsman and a better 'keeper than Craig Kieswetter, and deserves his place as Prior's understudy, but England will hope they do not have to use him.

GRAEME SWANN
Age: 31 Tests: 24 Ashes Tests: 5 Test bowling average: 26.55

The off-spinner is England's most important player. Has the guile and quality to take wickets on any surface and against any batsman, and the Aussies will certainly fear him.

JAMES TREDWELL
Age: 28 Tests: 1 Ashes Tests: 0 Test bowling average: 37.00

If Swann were injured, Tredwell would be favourite to play if a like-for-like replacement were needed. The Kent man is a steady enough bowler but is not in Swann's class.

STUART BROAD
Age: 24 Tests: 32 Ashes Tests: 5 Test bowling average: 34.30

A match-winning spell in the decider last summer helped England regain the Ashes, but Broad still needs to be more consistent. This winter will test his talent and his temperament.

JIMMY ANDERSON
Age: 28 Tests: 52 Ashes Tests: 8 Test bowling average: 31.75

England's attack leader is brilliant with the swinging Duke ball, but can he succeed with the less responsive Kookaburra? If he fails Down Under, Anderson might be labelled a one-trick pony.

STEVEN FINN
Age: 21 Tests: 8 Ashes Tests: 0 Test bowling average: 23.21

A great start to his Test career, and his height and bounce make him ideal for Australian wickets. But asking such a raw player to be England's star is demanding indeed.

AJMAL SHAHZAD
Age: 25 Tests: 1 Ashes Tests: 0 Test bowling average: 15.75

Unlikely to start the series, but he is highly regarded by Strauss and Andy Flower. He can reverse-swing the ball both ways, has a promising slower ball and a feisty attitude.

CHRIS TREMLETT
Age: 29 Tests: 3 Ashes Tests: 0 Test bowling average: 29.69

More than three years since his last Test but a fine first-class season with Surrey forced him into contention. Has all the tools, but can he dispel doubts about his fighting spirit?

TIM BRESNAN
Age: 25 Tests: 5 Ashes Tests: 0 Test bowling average: 35.14

A good team man and a solid competitor but does he do enough with the ball to be effective on flat wickets? Possible option to bat at No7 in a five-man attack.

MONTY PANESAR
Age: 28 Tests: 39 Ashes Tests: 4 Test bowling average: 34.37

After Swann, he is England's most dangerous spinner, but the management appear to have lost faith in him. Could get his chance if two slow bowlers play in Sydney.