Having won five out of their last six tests, England are now starting to think that they have a chance against Australia in next year's Ashes. Its surprising to see how the English media & former players talk up England's chances against Australia on the basis of England's progress in the last year, starting from the series against South Africa. Briggs has totally lost it when he compares Harmison to McGrath, Geraint Jones to Gilchrist, Strauss to Langer and Trescothick to Hayden. If I were any of those Aussie players, I'd file a defamation suit. Playing Australia, and beating them, is a far different proposition. Quoting England's new look batting & bowling depth may be justified, but when it comes to playing Australia, what England need is the mental strength more than anything else. It is the ability to convert a score of, say, 300/4 to 500 rather than capitulate for 400. I just cant see England doing it often enough, let alone against Australia.

This may actually be a very good time to have a triangular series between South Africa, India & England to judge who is the 2nd best test team. New Zealand have certainly dropped out of the race in the face of their performance in England, in conditions and pitches which they should be comfortable with. Instead of a world test championship or an Australia v Rest of the World game, a triangular series of that nature would answer the question about the best of the rest.