Prince Charles is in Canada, the Queen is expected to go there next year and William is preparing to go to New Zealand and Australia – but are there signs that the locals are revolting?

Polls published in advance of Charles’ visit show support for Canada’s constitutional monarchy is weak, even if the public’s frosty opinion of the Prince of Wales himself has begun to warm just a bit.

Sixty percent of Canadians felt the constitutional monarchy was outdated, although 80 percent said it was an important part of Canadian history.

Polls in New Zealand show people generally in favour of the monarchy even if it seems to have little relevance to their lives but when William heads off afterwards to Australia he will find a much more developed republican movement.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is an avowed republican whose announcement of William’s trip made it crystal clear that the young royal was coming because because he asked to, not because he was invited. Foreign Minister Stephen Smith says a split from the monarchy is inevitable in the next decade.

William, travelling without girlfriend Kate Middleton, can expect to bask in the lingering “Diana factor,” but this enduring phenomenon may actually work against the older couple in Canada.

Do you believe such royal visits have any point?

In the wake of England’s Ashes triumph over Australia, a huge question awaits...can England find a replacement for Andrew Flintoff?

He has been the scourge of the opposition for so long. His importance was underlined in this series where despite being half-fit he managed to knock over the tourists at Lord’s to claim five wickets and even ran out Australian captain Ricky Ponting at the Oval (which he said on Monday was probably the first time he’s ever run somebody out).

Flintoff (79 tests, 3,845 runs, 226 wickets) has been the heartbeat of the England team over the past five years and his departure will leave a gaping hole in the setup.

Nevertheless, the biggest mistake England and the media could make would be to conduct a search for the ‘next Andrew Flintoff’.

The previous talisman for England, Ian Botham (102, 5,200, 383), retired in 1992 and immediately a number of all-rounders were built up as the ‘next Ian Botham’, much to the ire of former England captain Michael Atherton back in 2001.

Phil Defreitas, Chris Lewis, Craig White and Dominic Cork came and went in the 90s, but not until Flintoff made his debut in 1998 did England recognise a potential player in the ilk of Botham.

However, not until 2004 did Flintoff really begin displaying match-winning prowess with both bat and ball, and at his peak in the 2005 Ashes series the Englishman was an unstoppable force.

Let this be a lesson of caution to those who expect a ready-made replacement.

Stuart Broad (767 runs and 64 wickets from 22 tests) has caught the eye in the last two tests, but let’s not forget he was ineffective in the first three matches of the series and has yet to prove durability with the bat and enough variety with the ball to trouble world class batsmen.

The good news is he is only 23, and should be kept in the side to build up confidence ahead of the 2010-11 Ashes series in Australia.

Graeme Swann, while not a paceman and by no means a spring chicken, is another vital cog with bat and ball in this current England team and will be key for future tours to Asia where turning pitches are the norm.

On the fringe of the setup are 21-year-old spinner Adil Rashid and seamer Tim Bresnan, both competent with a piece of willow in their hands though on current form , Rashid should get the nod ahead of Bresnan and may figure for England’s four-test tour to the number one-ranked test side South Africa from November-January.

The 2-1 Ashes result left the Australians scratching their heads and the home supporters happy as larry, but there is plenty of work left to do for this current England side. A patient approach would be the best one.

PHOTO: Andrew Flintoff of England celebrates taking the wicket of Ricky Ponting of Australia with a runout throw during the fifth Ashes test cricket match at The Oval in London August 23, 2009. REUTERS/Toby Melville

England have regained the Ashes after beating Australia by 197 runs at the Oval to seal a 2-1 series victory.

How important was Andrew Flintoff's run out of Ricky Ponting when the Australia captain looked well set? Flintoff did little with bat or ball in his last test before retiring but still made sure he grabbed the headlines.

Australia put up the fight that everyone expected but England were always likely to grind out the win.

So probably not as exciting or as skilful as the 2005 series, but much more competitive than Australia's whitewash win last time. The series probably pivoted on Monty Panesar's defiant batting in the first test in Cardiff.

Where will this series rank and did the result reflect the strength of the two sides?

PHOTO 1: Andrew Strauss of England celebrates winning the Ashes against Australia with the traditional urn trophy after their fifth Ashes test cricket match at the Oval in London August 23, 2009. REUTERS/Toby Melville

PHOTO 2: Ricky Ponting of Australia is run out by a direct throw from Andrew Flintoff. REUTERS/Toby Melville

Heard the one about the English batsmen who just couldn't resist nibbling at balls way outside off stump? It is an all too common occurrence and is the main reason why England fell short of a good first innings total in the deciding Ashes test.

Of course, flashing away outside the off-stump isn't just a disease to afflict English batsmen, although the problem does appear to be more acute on these shores than any where else.

It's an epidemic that has spread with the invention and subsequent proliferation of one-day cricket, which encourages the batsman's need to dominate and unsettle the opposition's bowlers.

The difference in test cricket is that the bowler is not required by the laws to bowl such a tight line around the stumps and therefore has more weapons in his armoury.

Five of the eight dismals to fall on day one were through players playing loosely outside the off stump. Of the five two can be offered impunity.

Captain Andrew Strauss was undone by a ball which inexplicably held its line instead of swinging in to the left-hander.

And Alastair Cook was delivered a ball that was so close to off stump that had he left it he may well have been listening to the lugubrious sound of the death rattle milliseconds later.

In saying that, Cook's technique will always leave him more susceptible to nicking one from the right-hander bowling across his bows. Whereas Andrew Straus plays with a straight bat down the line of off stump, Cook plays with an open face and pushes out rather than down the pitch and therefore is guiding the ball directly to the gluttonous slip cordon.

He can learn a lot from his captain.

England's plight is exacerbated by the profligacy when it comes to going on and scoring big hundreds, just one in the series so far, which brings us to Ian Bell.

He was England's top scorer yesterday, yes, but he's now had 32 innings batting at number three for England and has yet to register a century and that includes playing against teams of far less calibre than Australia. It is not good enough and exposes what many see as a mental weakness.

Say what you like about Ravi Bopara, but he scored two centuries in his first two innings in that position.

England's bowlers will need to be on top of their game if they are to wrestle the initiative back their team's way.

PHOTO: Andrew Flintoff of England misses the ball during the fifth Ashes test cricket match against Australia at The Oval in London August 20, 2009. REUTERS/Toby Melville

England will be under huge pressure to make changes for the deciding Ashes test at the Oval and the middle order is the obvious place to start, with Ravi Bopara, Ian Bell and Paul Collingwood contributing just 16 runs in six innings at Headingley.

So what should England do about it?

Possible replacements include Jonathan Trott, who was called into the squad at Headingley, Robert Key of Kent and even 39-year-old Mark Ramprakash as a one-off experiment.

Captain Andrew Strauss said he would be reluctant to make wholesale changes but Bopara, in particular, looks short of confidence in the crucial number three spot and it might be worth a gamble on Trott or Key in such a crucial game.

And Ramprakash? Is that just an idea for the romantics?

As for Australia, their selectors should be patting themselves on the back.

They recalled seamer Stuart Clark in place of spinner Nathan Hauritz in a horses-for-courses selection which was a stunning success.

The experienced Clark galvanized the rest of the attack with his opening spell on the first day, his accurate probing outswingers claiming three England wickets and tying down one end.

That inspired Peter Siddle and Mitchell Johnson, who had struggled previously in the series, and each claimed a five-wicket haul in the match. They will head into the deciding test high on confidence and with Brett Lee also likely to be available for selection Australia's seam bowling resources look healthy indeed.

FILE PHOTO: England's Mark Ramprakash watches his ball to safety on his way to a century during a game against a Board President's X1 in Hyderabad, November 22, 2001. At the close of play England were 297 for 9 and Ramprakash was out for 105. REUTERS/Darren Staples

Australia have far more limited options than England when they consider changes to their
battle-weary side for the fourth Ashes test starting on Friday at Headingley, with their main hope of fresh impetus resting on the fitness of Brett Lee.

England had the luxury of bringing in fresh blood on Tuesday, calling up fast bowler Ryan Sidebottom and uncapped batsman Jonathan Trott for the first time this series, while again putting Steve Harmison on standby in a 14-man squad.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting expects to be able to call on Lee for the first time this series, after the quick bowler missed the first three tests with a rib injury.

Seamer Stuart Clark could be another option, possibly at the expense of Peter Siddle but otherwise the skipper has little to juggle with ahead of a match they cannot afford to lose, with England already 1-0 up with two to play.

"We will keep a close eye on Brett and I would expect him to be able to bowl," Ponting said after the third test draw in Edgbaston. "We know what Stuart is capable of and we will have plenty to talk about."

Australia are again likely to be without first-choice wicket-keeper Brad Haddin again after he pulled out of the Edgbaston test with a finger injury but Ponting remained bullish.

"If we play our best cricket we will take some beating," he said.

PHOTO: Brett Lee reacts to the crowd as he delivers drinks during the fourth day of the third Ashes test against England at Edgbaston in Birmingham, August 2, 2009. REUTERS/Darren Staples

In the end it wasn't about the two S's, Swann and swing, it came down to the two P's, patience and perseverance, as Australia's batsmen swept away England hopes of a 2-0 Ashes series lead by holding on for a draw at Edgbaston. The challenge for Australia and their batting line-up now is to perform like that in the first innings of a test to put pressure on England, and not just in the second when they need to save a game.

This match didn't get the denouement it deserved after the thrilling cricket played on Friday and Sunday, but mother nature can hold up her hand and take the blame for that. Just one more day's play could have provided an intriguing finish, but it wasn't to be.

In truth England's bowlers didn't bowl well enough, with Graeme Swann never quite touching the dizzy heights of Sunday night when he bowled a spellbinding over to Ricky Ponting, which eventually accounted for the great man's wicket.

Flintoff bowled with aggression but now looks so seriously hampered by his knee injury you begin to wonder whether the Headingley test, which begins on Friday, might be beyond him.

As in the first innings, Anderson's probing line and ability to swing the ball offered the home side the likeliest route to victory, but bewilderingly he was left under bowled by captain Andrew Strauss.

Most cause for concern will be the bowling form of Stuart Broad who, like Mitchell Johnson, appears to be shorn of confidence. Unlike Johnson, he is struggling to take wickets when he's out of form.

I'd stick with Broad. He's a good bowler learning his trade and too much time has been invested in him to dispense with him mid-series, in his first slump of form. It may place pressure on the rest of the bowling attack but his batting adds weight to a line-up that appears brittle without Pietersen.

So, the choice for Strauss and the selectors, if Andrew Flintoff is passed fit, will be whether to stick with Graham Onions, who bowled beautifully on Friday morning, bring in the horses-for-courses swing bowler Ryan Sidebottom, or recall the "daisy" (some days he does, some days he don't) Steve Harmison to add hare'em and scare'em fire power.

I'd stick with the same line-up. By all accounts Headingley pitches these days are flatter than in the past and they'll need the durability and youth of Anderson, Broad and Onions to take 20 wickets.

If Flintoff isn't fit, playing Harmisson to add variety would be the best bet.

Of concern to England coach Andy Flower will be that Australia have scored six centuries to England's one. Five of the top six heaviest scorers with the bat in the series so far are Australian. And four of the top five wicket takers are from the touring party.

What he can take heart from is that his side are still 1-0 up, meaning they have taken the wickets and scored runs when it mattered, and his team were the only side with a chance of winning this truncated match.

As for Australia. They'll look at those stats and wonder how on earth they trail in this series.

The 2009 vintage may not have the class of 2005, but roll on Friday is what I say and bring me more Ashes cricket.

PHOTO: Australia's Michael Clarke is congratulated by England's Andrew Flintoff after Clarke reached his century during the fifth day of the third Ashes Test against England at Edgbaston, Birmingham, England, August 3, 2009. REUTERS/Philip Brown

Lord's rose to its feet to acclaim Andrew Flintoff after his five wickets helped England beat Australia by 115 runs to go 1-0 up in the Ashes series.

The home crowd was especially delighted given England had not beaten the old enemy at the home of cricket since 1934.

It was also a bitter sweet moment as Flintoff is due to retire from tests at the end of the series.

It doesn't look like he is up for being persuaded otherwise but if the burly all-rounder can again lead England to a home Ashes victory like in 2005, he will be in English cricket hearts forever.

What next for Ricky Ponting's Australian side? After failing to close out a win in the first test in Cardiff, they face a 1-0 deficit with three to play. These Aussies are made of sterner stuff so expect some more twists in the coming weeks.

PHOTO: England's Andrew Flintoff (C) celebrates after bowling Australia's Nathan Hauritz during the second Ashes test cricket match at Lord's Cricket Ground in London July 20, 2009. REUTERS/Philip Brown

It takes guts, skill, determination and more than anything patience to win a test match and that is why the longest form of cricket is still one of the greatest challenges that a sportsman can face.

And England will need all the patience that human nature can muster if they are to wear down and eventually beat this resolute Australian side, which managed to recover from 128 for five to close on 313 with the loss of no further wickets, chasing another 209 runs for victory.

Bad light again saw a truncated day’s play as the magnificent Michael Clarke and the unyielding Brad Haddin put on a superb partnership for the sixth wicket, sending strains of anxiety coursing through the England camp.

The premature finish to the day will have benefited England more than Australia, who were looking more than comfortable and almost rapacious with their scoring, despite England taking the second new ball, in bowler friendly conditions, just before the close.

There will be much soul searching for Andrew Strauss and his men, who are still in the box seat for this test match, but the team will be concerned that they have allowed a resilient if unspectacular Australian side to get so close to the 522 target they set.

Once again the pitch showed its compassion to the batsmen even if England’s bowling became lackadaisical as the day wore on and the bowling intensity waned.

England will regroup and come again in the morning in what will be an ultra tense and ultra tight final day’s play (Edgbaston 2005, anyone?), but if they want to emerge as the best test playing nation in the world, these will be the types of challenges they will need to overcome.

Australia will be on cloud nine following a controversial two sessions before tea where three of the five wickets they lost could have been given not out on another day.

Katich was caught off what should have been called a no ball. Strauss caught Phil Hughes at slip when the ball looked to have brushed the ground and had the umpires called for a referral he would surely have been reprieved.

Mike Hussey was given out caught at slip, despite appearing not to hit the ball.

Despite all that, England’s bowlers were disciplined and incisive in the sessions before tea, with Andrew Flintoff showing fans what they’ll be missing when he departs the test arena following multiple hostile spells.

England will need to be relentless and intense and show the calmness their tail-enders displayed in Cardiff if they are to achieve their first victory over Australia at Lord’s since 1934, but can they take a further five wickets or have Australia wrestled back the initiative to complete an unlikely and unprecedented victory?

PHOTO: Australia's Michael Clarke celebrates scoring a century against England during the second Ashes test at Lord's, July 19, 2009. REUTERS/Kieran Doherty

I'm still not quite sure how, but somehow England escaped with a draw from the first Ashes Test against Australia, closing out the fifth day on 252-9, 13 runs ahead of the Aussie total and with no time left for the tourists to bat.

Talk about getting out of jail. Ricky Ponting must have thought he had the match won when England were five wickets down and still facing a massive 137-run deficit in the morning sessions.

Make no mistake about it, England were outplayed comprehensively but Paul Collingwood led a memorable  rearguard action and when he was gone, the rest of the tailenders finished the job.

The key now for England will be to learn from the mistakes that got them into this mess. Australia, while they'll be devastated at not winning this, must surely go into the second Test believing that they are the better side.

What's your prediction now? Can England still win this Ashes series?

PHOTO: England's Graeme Swann is hit by a bouncer bowled by Australia's Peter Siddle during the first Ashes cricket test in Cardiff, Wales July 12, 2009. REUTERS/Andrew Winning