Paul Newman selects his XI of the series

Updated:

Alastair Cook

Incredible: Alastair Cook

ALASTAIR COOK

What an achievement. What an incredible display of concentration, discipline, mental toughness and old-fashioned opening application. These are Cook's Ashes and his name deserves to be up in lights among the game's greats.

ANDREW STRAUSS

The England captain deservedly pushes out Shane Watson on the back of his cool and calm leadership from the front, even though he has not reached the heights of his fellow batsmen.

JONATHAN TROTT

No more question marks over temperament or intensity for the man with an Ashes average of 86 and who has been as successful in his early career as Don Bradman. England supporters may never totally warm to him, but boy can he play.

KEVIN PIETERSEN

Don't worry about speeding Lamborghinis or his justifiable claim that Peter Moores needed to be replaced as coach for England to twice win the Ashes. Just remember the absolute quality of Pietersen's double hundred in Adelaide. Not many players past or present can bat like that.

MIKE HUSSEY

Yes folks, we have that rarest of sightings, an Aussie in our composite team. He was almost dropped, but was then majestic in the first three Tests, before running out of steam.

Masterclass: James Anderson

Masterclass: James Anderson

IAN BELL

It is no exaggeration to say Bell has looked the best batsman on either side, but it has only been in Sydney that he has had the time and the partners to register his first Ashes hundred. It should be the first of many.

MATT PRIOR

Twenty-two catches in the series and a hundred in Sydney, Prior is now the genuine article - a proper world-class all-rounder. Should be elevated to No 6 by England now to fulfil his potential as a batsman.

TIM BRESNAN

An under-rated yeoman of a Yorkshireman who has shown that, when conditions are in his favour, he can justify being part of a four-man attack. Took the wicket that retained the Ashes in Melbourne and comfortably makes our team ahead of Mitchell Johnson.

GRAEME SWANN

Not the prolific series expected from Swann, other than in Adelaide, but conditions have been against him. He is by far the best spinner on either side and his video diaries are brilliant, too. How could we leave him out?

CHRIS TREMLETT

No heart, they said. Will the penny ever drop, asked Shane Warne. Well, this gentle giant is answering his doubters by thriving under bowling coach David Saker, who pushed for his inclusion. Should be in the squad to stay.

JIMMY ANDERSON

Five expensive wickets last time he was in Australia, but the leading wicket-taker in the series and a genuine master of his art. Best bowler in the world? He's not far off.


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