Ashes to ashes...roll on 2009.

Well, it's not entirely a surprise .

I thought England's surfeit of injuries to key players would make the defence of the urn difficult, going as it did with a relatively inexperienced squad facing veterans on their home patch. I do think we're probably entering a phase where the urn goes back and forth. I think there's little doubt that the Australian squad will have to lose some of its more venerable members in the near future.

On England's side, Bell and Cook are starting to really look the part against the best opposition, Pietersen is already looking like a great in the making. Monty Panesar looks to be a fixture for the spin option in the team.

It seems like this should be the time to make some predictions...

PREDICTIONS

1. This is Langer's, McGrath's, Hayden's, and Gilchrist's last series against England,and in order of increasing likelihood, their last series full stop. I think there is a 50/50 chance Warne is still there in 2009 (see prediction below).

2. Collingwood gets replaced in the test side by one of the likely lads coming up through the ranks for the West Indies series; Ed Joyce or Owais Shah. I think Bell is turning into the nuggety performer in the side, and we need a more assured batsman at 4. Of course, Pietersen may move to 4.

3. Mike Hussey will be a major thorn in England's side in 2009.

4. Geraint Jones is out of the England team in Melbourne.

5. Andrew Strauss is given back the captainship to the relief of all concerned. Andrew Flintoff shouldn't have to worry about everybody else's game. Let him refind his own game.

6. Shane Warne touring in 2009 will prove to be a mistake, (if it happens).

7. This guy will be in the England side within a year.

8. England side for the first test against Australia in 2009; Strauss, Cook, Shah/Vaughan, Bell, Pietersen, Rashid, Flintoff, Prior, Hoggard, Harmison/Jones, Panesar.

The double choices I'm allowing myself because I have my doubts if the injuries to the two senior players mean they come back at all. Even if they do, I wonder if they will ever recover the form that made them automatic choices.