Hello sirjon. Welcome on board! I like England for a number of reasons.
First, England have more chance of getting 20 wickets a match with their bowling. I don't believe Lee & Warne can do the work on their own, and McGrath is past his best in my view.
Second, I see Hayden & Hussey at the top of the order as fodder for Hoggy, meaning Ponting is exposed to the new ball, which will expose his footwork early. That leaves the classy Martyn and Clarke, Gilly et al doing their best to stay with him. Gilly is also past his best.
Third, captaincy. Ponting v Flintoff is a mis-match. In fact Ponting v Kenny Lynch would be a mis-match, so poor do I think Ponting is as a skipper.
Fourth, Fletcher v Buchanan.... ditto the above [Kenny Lynch included]
All of this leads me to view England as real value at around 6/1 for the 1st Test or 8/11 to win any test [Corals].
**All this comes with the proviso that Flintoff is fit through the series and Harmison bowls anything like.
