Line-up changes needed for Ashes team | Thebigtip

After being rolled for 88 against Pakistan and being beaten in just a touch over three days, the Australian team has to pick itself off the canvas, regroup and look towards The Ashes.  With Test Cricket on its knees and the death of the One-Day-Game imminent, the Australian Cricket Team has to regain The Ashes more than ever before.

Last summer's very average display of non competitive matches has put cricket further down the pecking order and Cricket Australia needs a bumper year of crowds and competitive matches.

I predict four changes from the team that were humiliated by Pakistan, with ‘Mr Cricket ' Michael Hussey announcing his test retirement after playing his dependable role in the series.

THE OPENERS

Australia's best performing batsman of the last few years Simon Katich will need to be on top of his game this series. Simon holds the key to a solid start for the Aussies, and with Andrew Strauss leading the English top order in career best form, some big scores will be required by Katich. I predict yet another change to the top order, while Shane Watson has done a great job in the opening spot, Phil Hughes is the man to take centre with Katich at the start of the campaign. Hughes will need to bury his demons from the previous Ashes series, and I expect to see some big scores from the New South Welshman.

THE TOP ORDER

Skipper Ricky Ponting will lead from the front this series. While his form hasn't been outstanding of late, Ponting will be determined to regain the Ashes back from the motherland. Michael Clarke seems to have put the Lara Bingle saga behind him with an impressive New Zealand tour, and top scoring in the final innings against Pakistan.  After a batting slump Clarke seems to be back into some great form.  Michael Hussey will play his usual dependable role, but I think this will be his last Ashes campaign. He will not publically announce this - unless his spot in the team is under pressure -  but Hussey will play some vital roles through the series and will want to finish on a winning note.

THE ALL-ROUNDER

I can see Shane Watson dropping down the order, not because of his for but for a better team balance. The Australian selectors need to get Hughes in, and at the same time drop Marcus North. 

I can't see Hughes batting at 6, and I think Watson will be asked to drop down for the betterment of the team. Watson has also been bowling well and taking wickets, and will be a key factor in the series.

THE KEEPER

Brad Haddin has done nothing wrong, and will be fighting fit.  Haddin will make some great contributions with the bat, and his glove work is improving with every test match.