Glenn McGrath ------------- "I think I was saying 3-0 or 4-0 about 12 months ago, thinking there might be a bit of rain around. But with the weather as it is at the moment, I have to say 5-0." Jeff Thomson ------------ "Hoggard's like a net bowler when you compare him to McGrath and Kasprowicz." Darren Lehmann -------------- "Harmison and Flintoff have looked the part in the one-dayers, but on Test-match wickets I don't see England having enough firepower to take the 20 wickets. Matthew Hoggard has to come into the equation, but if England are going to stand a chance, Flintoff and Harmison not only have to have a good series with the ball, they have to have an unbelievable series." Ian Healy --------- "This England team, while they are better and on track, I can't see them beating this Australian team in a game." Jeff Thomson ------------ "England will lose the five-Test series 3-0 and the margin will be worse for them if it doesn't rain. If you put the players from Australia and England up against each other it is embarrassing. There is no contest between them on an individual or team basis." Rodney Hogg ----------- "I just know Shane [Warne] will be someone who will really hone in on Andrew Flintoff and I'm sure there's a weakness there with Flintoff." Dean Jones ---------- "I'm just a little worried that [Andrew Flintoff] might be rushing back too quickly after the surgery. It took Glenn McGrath six months and some intensive rehabilitation to get back to the level he is at now." Terry Alderman -------------- "If Australia get away to a good start then England have got no chance" Matthew Hayden -------------- "I don't really care much for all this 'are they closer?' I really believe that it's all about us - if we are executing our skills I don't believe there's a side that can get close to us." and finally.... Ricky Ponting ------------- "I'm not looking at it as being the first to lose them. I'm looking at being another Australian captain to retain the Ashes." (lol) (nodding2fingers) (dancin)