retaining the Ashes Urn for the 3rd time in a row. Right now, the only enemy the hosts have to guard against is over-confidence and complacency. Ian Bell is in the form of his life and has already notched up two splendid centuries in the series. With 317 runs to his tally, he is by far the leading run-scorer. Joe Root has grabbed the opening slot and made it his own with a match-winning 180 in the 2nd Test at Lord's. Jonny Bairstow has got some starts and looked impressive in the series.

The only concern bothering skipper Alastair Cook would be the fitness of star-batsman Kevin Pietersen who is nursing a calf injury but reports suggest that the flamboyant batsman will be fit for Old Trafford. James Taylorhas already been drafted as cover for KP should he not be able to make the final eleven on the morning of the Test. Taylor registered a fine century for Sussex against the Australians in the last tour match.

James Anderson and Graeme Swann have spearheaded the England seam and spin attack respectively and come out with match-winning performances. Anderson was the player of the match at Nottingham picking up a fifer in each of the innings. He is gearing up and relishing the opportunity to bowl his side to an Ashes-series victory at his home ground. Swann accounted for 9 wickets at Lord's and was instrumental in the host's mammoth win bamboozling the Australians with his spin and guile. England have drafted in Monty Panesar to make use