I would like to present some counter ideas to the prevailing ones that all the pundits seem to be pushing. Long story short I think Australia will win but maybe not the way everyone seems to think.

• Smith and Marnus will be key

  While I do think think they will play a big role I think that the other three in our top 5 will actually be the ones who perform well and frustrate the english bowlers. England seem to be sleeping on Head a bit and seem to think that his century in the WTC was some kind of fluke. I'll grant you that Broad has had Warner as a bunny for a while but if England really do push ahead with these flat tracks i think the method he was using to get those edges wont be there. Usman on the other hand would really benefit from these hard flat tracks as Pakistan seemed to love him.

• The contest between Hazelwood and Boland will be a huge focus

  It might be but i'll tell you what may be an outside contest too. Murphy vs Starc. I know that sounds crazy but go with me on this. England like to score fast on hot baked tracks. The Oval started turning in days 4 and 5 and if we want to restrict their runs and take wickets, an on field combo of Boland and Murphy and Cummins and Lyon could be really effective.

• Broad and Anderson must play every game

  I understand the sentiment and they are immense bowlers but if England don't find another young bowler to drive their bowling attack then they will have hard time containing us. Anderson is coming in without a heap of bowling this season and Broad hasn't been getting the movement he has in years passed.

• Moeen Ali coming out of retirement shows England are in dire need of help

  While I would love to believe this I really think Stokes has done a massive number on the English team where they really think they are unbeatable. This fun fresh approach seems to be the real reason Ali has made himself available again because he didn't want to miss out on all the fun. This is a guy with very little to lose and that makes him dangerous. His batting will be handy for them too.

All in all I'm pumped for this ashes more because I think this could be our best line up since 2001. I think the first ball of the first over will be as telling for the series as it always has been and I cant wait. ONE MORE SLEEP KIDS!!