England’s cricketers face a monumental task if they are to regain the Ashes they surrendered so meekly in 2006/07. Forget 2005 for a moment and take a longer-term view. Since the turn of the 20th Century, England have managed just 17 victories in Ashes series, compared to Australia’s 30, as they have regularly been confounded technically and mentally.

A 2-0 series win over the West Indies at the start of the summer buoyed England’s confidence but looks can be deceiving. The fact is, England have failed to beat a leading Test playing nation home or away since Pakistan in 2006.

The 74th instalment of the Ashes begins on Wednesday in Cardiff, two years after Australia humiliated England in a 5-0 series whitewash in Australia, claiming back the urn they’ve held for much of the past 100 years.

Can it be different this time around?

England:

Andrew Strauss has begun to guide England out of the mire the team found itself in following the tumultuous departure of head coach Peter Moores and resignation of former captain Kevin Pietersen at the start of 2009.

Top-order batting looks sound, strengthened by the inclusion of the talented and phlegmatic Ravi Bopara, the antithesis of his predecessor Owais Shah, while his Essex team mate Alistair Cook continues to clock up the runs, and Kevin Pietersen remains the jewel in England’s batting crown.

However, the tail could be long if all-rounder Andew Flintoff, lacking match practice since his return from injury, takes time to find his feet.

Bowling is less of a concern. James Anderson and Flintoff will provide the reverse swing which brought about Australia’s capitulation in 2005, while Stuart Broad continues to show maturity beyond his years and off-spinner Graeme Swann adds control and guile.

One to watch: Matt Prior - Chosen as a batsmen wicketkeeper, Prior will bat in the pivotal number six position. His prowess with the blade is unquestioned but glove-work can have the subtlety of a stampeding elephant. Catches win matches. Can he hold his nerve behind the stumps?

Australia:

Australia have suffered from the retirement of many of their old guard, including England’s tormentors in chief Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath. That detracted from their air of invincibility.

But don’t believe the hype about the demise of Australian cricket. They are still ranked the number one Test side in the world and shocked South Africa, the number two ranked side, by beating them in their own backyard in their last Test series.

Top order batting has been a concern of late, with Ponting, Michael Clarke and Mike Hussey all short of runs in recent series.

However, Australia bat in depth and England will need to work hard to run through the lower order, in particular in the dashing wicketkeeper Brad Haddin and ferocious hitting fast bowler Mitchell Johnson.

It will be the ability to take 20 wickets that will decide this series. In Mitchell Johnson they have a wild-card fast bowler that can destroy any top-order, as South Africa found out, while Peter Siddle is an in-yer-face 90 mph brute, but Brett Lee will miss at least the first Test and Stuart Clarke is just returning from injury. Considering that Australia have just one untested spinner in the party, Nathan Hauritz, Ricky Ponting will have to shuffle his pack adroitly.

One to watch: Mitchell Johnson - The left-arm heartbeat of the seam attack, swings the ball both ways at express pace. He’s also fast turning into a reliable all-rounder.

My prediction: England win 2-1.

What’s yours?

PHOTO: England’s Andrew Flintoff ahead of the first Ashes test against Australia at Cardiff, July 6 2009. REUTERS/Philip Brown