England's batting has come under fire after disappointing performances in the Ashes with only one century, from Andrew Strauss, in the series compared to seven scored by Australia.

BBC: Key 'dreaming' of Ashes call-up

He sat out the Champions Trophy in India but declared himself ready for the Ashes series in Australia, only to pull out days before it began.

BBC: Trescothick out of Somerset tour

Her only two Tests were in the 2003 Ashes and, after struggling opening the batting in Brisbane, she made an unbeaten 120 in Sydney coming in at number five.

BBC: SPORT | Cricket | Women's cricket | Sthalekar steps up

Strauss and Cook produced the 20th-best stand by any England pair in Ashes history, and they only narrowly missed making the best start by two openers in a home Test against Australia, falling 23 runs behind the mark set by Charlie Barnett and Len Hutton at Trent Bridge in 1938.

BBC: Strauss century defies Australia

And the rest period should ensure Pietersen is fully fit, not only for the World Twenty20, but also the Ashes series against Australia this summer.

BBC: Pietersen out of one-day series

England only need to draw the series in Australia to retain the Ashes and Hussain believes Flintoff will meet the extra challenge facing him.

BBC: He's shown as a player that he rises to the occasion

On the field, the England women's cricket captain guided her side to glory at the World Cup for only the second time, the World Twenty20 trophy, the retention of the Ashes and a 4-0 defeat of Australia in the NatWest Series to complete an unprecedented year of success.

BBC: Charlotte Edwards eyes England women's next chapter

Nathan Hauritz is the only specialist slow bowler and one of 11 players who will be making their first Ashes tour.

BBC: Symonds misses out on Ashes squad