On skills, Poms marginally ahead of Aussies in Ashes run-up

MELBOURNE - In a position-by-position look at Ashes combatants - Australia and England, Fox Sports has arrived at some interesting conclusions.

Fox Sports has tried to find the Ashes favourite by rating each team by position and giving them a score out of five in five departments - openers, middle order, wicket-keeping, fast bowling and spinners.

Australia emerges with a total of 17 out of 25, while England is ahead by a point i.e. 18 out of 25, suggesting that the annual contest is going to be a close one.

Fox sports says the Poms most likely will take the honours in the spin department quite decisively, and in the wicket keeping department with the impressive Matt Prior.

Australia edge the old enemy with their opening batsmen and fast bowlers, while nothing separates the middle orders.

If England are to break their 23-year drought on Australian soil, Graeme Swann is clearly going to have to play a pivotal role and Prior must contribute some runs in the lower order.

Australia’s glaring deficiency in the spin department is going to hurt them, and they are going to have to rely on their fast bowlers to propel them to victory. (ANI)