I remember last time the Ashes were on Aussies were saying no one from the England team but get in their team inc Vaughan hmm lets take a look based on their performances from the ashes. Feel free to add comments as i didn't watch all the days play in some series.
Trescothick/Langer - No contest Trescothick top runs scorer in the ashes with 44.37 and very good slip catcher
Strauss/Hayden - Strauss with a batting average above 32.87 and Hayden struggling with just 22.57. Strauss edges it there but Hayden has held more catches with 8 desptie that Strauss wins it.
Vaughan/Pointing - Battle of the captains both have played their part, Vaughan averaging 33.75 with the bat and Pointing 40.50, Vaughan has been smarter as the captain and with Pointing losing his cool at times, but with the century in the 3rd test i would give it to Pointing.
Bell/Martyn - Both had poor series with both players averaging around 21. I'll call this one a draw.
Pietersen/Clarke - Pietersen amazing with the bat with 43.00 but poor fielding has let him down, Clarke also been impressive with the bat with 38.75, both second top scorers for their teams, but Pietersen on his debut and can change a game single handely its gotta be him for me.
Flintoff/Kaitch - No contest Flintoff player of the series handy with the bat and ball and probably the one of the best if not the best all rounder in the world at the moment. Kaitch hasn't been that bad himself with an average of 30.87 but its a no contest.
Jones/Gilchrist - Both been let down with the batting especially Gilchrist with a more than below par 22.57 when his average for his career is over 50 but has taking 17 catches. While Jones has started to change it in the 4th test with a handy 85 but his glove work has let him down. Gilchrist edges it though
Giles/Warne - Giles hasn't had a bad test with 10 wickets and hit the winning runs in the last test. But Warne leading wicket taker with 28 and more than handy with the bat with an average of 31.12 and a top score of 90. Its gotta be Warne
Hoggard/Lee - Hoggard with 12 wickets maybe doesn't get the praise he deserves at time and is usually used as a night watch man for England. Lee for me though has had a cracking series especially in the last test where he looked like he was going to rip through the last order. Taken 19 wickets and is also impressive with the bat. Lee pulls another one back for the Aussies
Harmison/Kasprowicz - Both tall bowlers but Harmison being more effective with the extra pace with 16 wickets to only Kasprowicz 4 although he hasn't played every test , although if you include Gillespies figures they will still be no match for Harmie's stats. Harmison here.
Jones/McGrath - Jones has come out of his shell in this series with 18 wickets and proved how valuable he is to the team will be out of the 5th test of course. McGrath although has missed 2 tests has still taken 14 wickets and he will play in the decider. If Jones was up against anyone else he would have won but its McGrath here so Mcgrath it is.
After all that an England/Aussie XI would look something like
Trescothick
Strauss
Pointing
Bell//Martyn?
Pietersen
Flintoff
Gilchrist
Warne
Lee
Harmison
McGrath
5 for England
5 for Aussies
1 Draw
Stats courtesy of BBC and this weeks Zoo. Time for a rest i think, tomorrow's game is going to be a cracker!