So its finally here what cricket fans have been waiting for the ashes and the squad has just been announced with no real shocks.

The 13 man squad is as follows - Strauss Cook Bopara Pietersen Collingwood Flintoff Prior Swann Broad Anderson Panesar Bell Onions I must be honest after watching the warm up game at Worcester i was impressed with the way Steve Harmison had performed and thought maybe he would get a call up but it was not to be yet Ian Bell is drafted in after what has to be said was a below par game for him.

The experts are predicting a pitch thats going to help spin as Cardiff is well known for it so with the inclusion of both Swann and Panesar its hard to see one of them being left out,but on the other hand looking at Australia they are struggling for a spinner to replace Shane Warne and this might work in Englands favour.

So far Australia have been below par in the warm up games and on what i have seen and i fancy England to win back the ashes on current form but we all know the ever competitve Aussies with fight to the end.

With the likes of Hayden,Mcgrath,Gilcrest and Warne now all retired its been a difficult time for Australia to find replacements and rightly so these were the backbone to a wonderful Australian side who have dominated cricket in recent years so England have to take advantage of the situation.

Im sure come wednesday both sides will be ready to do battle in whats going to be an exciting series and if its half as good as 2005 then cricket fans are in for a treat yet again.

COME ON ENGLAND !!!!!