The selection of Australia’s Ashes squad has compounded England’s worst fears. This is a team more than capable of successfully defending the little urn.

There may be no Shane Warne, Adam Gilchirst or Glenn McGrath in the lineup but what the squad lacks in star quality it makes up for in depth.

Players were picked on form and not reputation. For the first time since the golden generation retired, Australia’s selectors chose a side without having to panic.

They now possess one of the longest batting lineups in recent test history with Mitchell Johnson, who bats at eight, averaging 34.70 and coming off the back of an unbeaten century against South Africa.

Australia’s two new exciting openers, Simon Katich and Phillip Hughes, are in great form. Both are left-handers and play for the same state team although they could not be more different.

Katich is 33, always deadly serious, and in his second stint in the side after returning last year following a three-year absence. Like so many other Australian batsmen who have been through that same experience, he has re-emerged as a much tougher player.

Hughes is only 20 and wears a dazzling earring but has already been compared to Don Bradman. A runscoring machine, he made twin centuries in just his second test, against South Africa two months ago, and has continued piling on the runs during a guest stint with Middlesex.

Fearless and unorthodox, how will England’s modest bowling attack succeed in containing him when the far more dangerous South African attack could not?

Australia’s middle-order of Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke and Mike Hussey holds the key to the series. If they all score heavily, Australia will win, although all three have been mixing their form of late and the selectors may have erred in not picking the reliable Brad Hodge as a backup if any of them fails.

Following in Gilchrist’s footsteps was never going to be easy but Brad Haddin has already proven himself a worthy successor as wicketkeeper.

His work behind the stumps has been criticised but not his batting. He averages 37.54, has a highest test score of 169 and would make most test sides on his batting alone.

This has allowed Australia the rare luxury of choosing three all-rounders, Marcus North, Shane Watson and Andrew McDonald, who all offer different strengths.

North scored a century on his debut against South Africa two months ago and is a handy spinner who can hold up an end.

Watson, whose career has been hampered by injuries, is a genuine batsman who can also bowl short spells of intimidating pace. England have not the seen the best of him but it is only a matter of time before he shows them his real potential.

Unlike the other pair, McDonald is a better seam bowler than batsman, although he did make 68 against South Africa and was not an unexpected selection.

Much has been made of the selectors’ decision to omit Andrew Symonds, though more so in England, where he seems to be feared, than in Australia, where few people were surprised or even concerned at his dumping.

Symonds, who turns 34 next month, saved his test career when he scored his first test hundred against England in a dead-rubber at Melbourne two and a half years ago.

He scored his second hundred against India a little over a year ago but has struggled for consistency and been involved in off-field troubles.

Sacked last year for ill-discipline, he failed to make the most of his second chance at home against South Africa then was unable to mount a case for another lifeline when he averaged just 15 in the Australian first-class competition this season.

While the likes of Katich, Hughes, Haddin and North have emerged to strengthen Australia’s batting, the bowling stocks are also suddenly overflowing with talent with five pacemen vying for three or possibly four spots.

Johnson is the new undisputed leader of the pack. As a left-armer with a vicious inswinger, he presents an obvious danger to England’s left-handers, including their captain Andrew Strauss.

He is likely to share the new ball with Peter Siddle, a newcomer to the test side who is as tough and strong as you would expect from a man who was once a junior woodchopping champion.

Ben Hilfenhaus impressed Australia’s selectors on the recent tour of South Africa and should thrive in English conditions but faces a challenge from two more experienced campaigners.

Brett Lee and Stuart Clark were both included in the squad after coming back from injuries, giving the side the additional benefit of being able to mix experience with youth.

The only obvious weakness is in the spin department. Nathan Hauritz was the only specialist spinner chosen, although Katich, Clarke and North can also roll the arm over.

Like Katich, Hauritz is another player making the most of his second chance.

An off-spinner, he is somewhat less threatening than the famous blond wrist-spinner Australia had in their recent Ashes campaigns, but may only have to play a containment role.