Ricky Ponting's captaincy skills blasted

Thomson believes England have a clear advantage in leadership with Andrew Strauss spearheading their attempt to reclaim the Ashes when the series opens on July 8.

Mystified at Australia's selection of Ponting for the job five years ago, Thompson believes the 34-year-old batsman is still struggling in the role.

Ponting's record may single him out as one of the most successful captains in Test cricket but Thomson, who plundered 100 of his 200 international wickets against England, is unimpressed.

"I thought Ricky was c**p when he was first captain in 2004 and nothing much has improved since then," he said.

"I'm not the only one who thinks that. I've always bagged him. He's a great player but captaincy is a totally different thing.

"I couldn't believe it when he'd been picked as captain. There was no-one else to pick but Ponting still had no experience.

"He'd only captained one side ever before. How did he get to lead Australia with that sort of experience?

"He was in a side that had very good players and now he's got a side that has average players. He's still left wanting.

"You see it on him - he gets frustrated. He worries when the players don't do what he's used to with the ball when he passes it to them.

"This is half the reason he's got a bloke in there who can't even spin a ball (Nathan Hauritz). He just wants someone to bowl tight but that's not going to get you wickets.

"England have the edge in the captaincy department. But while England have a better captain, Australia have a better line-up."

Apart from the lack of a quality spinner - he does not approve of Hauritz - Thomson believes Australia possess a formidable attack led by Mitchell Johnson.

But the 58-year-old insists Brett Lee must be confined to a watching brief this summer.

"Simon Katich and Michael Clarke have more chance of taking a wicket than Hauritz. Why go for a guy like that? I don't rate Hauritz," said Thomson.

"We have three other options in the side without dropping anyone else whereas England only have one option and if that goes bad...

"And I don't see a place for Brett Lee in this side. He hasn't played for such a long time.

"Mitchell Johnson is a handy bowler but what's really added another string to his bow is his batting - he's a really good batsman. He bats properly and is a good hitter of the ball. He's got defence and attack."