Ashes: Key players

Date released: 14 July 2009

With three days to go we countdown to the the Ashes Test at Lord's with a great story each day for ten days. Today: our experts pick out the key players.

We've canvassed the opinions of England spinner Graeme Swann; former Australia Test player and MCC World Cricket Committee Member Tony Dodemaide; MCC President and former England Test player Derek Underwood and this year's MCC Spirit of Cricket Cowdrey Lecturer and Ashes-winner Adam Gilchrist.

Graeme Swann
Current England Test player

Key contest: Stuart Broad v Ricky Ponting.

Tony Dodemaide
Former Australia Test player

Key contest: The pace bowlers: Mitchell Johnson v Andrew Flintoff and the captains: Ricky Ponting v Andrew Strauss.

After the Lions match Steve Harmison v Phil Hughes too. And Peter Siddle v Kevin Pietersen.

Derek Underwood
MCC President

Key contests: My experience is not of individual battles. Every ball a batsman faces is a challenge as it is with every ball a bowler bowls.

I always enjoy the battle of bat against ball, a batsman fighting to survive and perhaps the batsman coming through to get runs deservedly. The only time I do not enjoy Test cricket is when the bat dominates, runs flow and it is the opposition getting them.

I have to say I enjoy watching Kevin Pietersen bat. I hope he has a great series.

Player of the Series? I will have a "punt" here. I have keenly watched the development of Stuart Broad and I believe we have a top quality Test cricketer here.

His bowling has come on in leaps and bounds and he has gained in pace with his development. I have watched him bat on a number of occasions and seen him play a number of innings of quality and class and his real emergence in this series could be invaluable for England. I like his attitude and approach.

Adam Gilchrist
Former Australia Test player

Key contest: Graeme Swann against all our left-handed batsmen.