The Captains [No 3s]
Pre Series : "My view would be that these guys are extremely evenly matched. They both weigh in regularly with runs at 3 or 4 and have great cricketing brains. Vaughan has been able to show an agressive style on England's winning run and has not been found wanting in his decision making on the field. Although Ponting is no Steve Waugh he has certainly been around the block and will have learnt a lot from the players around him. I would have to call this one a tie."
Post Series: Vaughan has to take this for his excellent captaincy throughout, with Ponting out of his comfort zone at times with some poor decisions. Ponting did weigh in with more runs but he was often under extreme pressure. Ponting also let the pressure tell at Trent Bridge with his outburst and subsequent fine. Although to credit him, both he and his players were tremendously gracious and generous in defeat.
The Openers
Pre Series: "I give Australia the edge here as I expect Hayden out perform Trescothick."
Post Series: England all the way here, they made good starts repeatedly and up until the Oval Hayden had totally underperformed, he will be lucky to keep his place in the team. Tres batted beautifully and without Pietersen's heroics at the Oval would have been the series' top scorer, he didn't make a ton but averaged 43. Strauss turned his game around brilliantly despite pressure from all the Aussie bowlers at one time or another. I can not give Langer the edge here because of this intelligent approach and hard work that was clearly going in between Tests against Merlyn [Englands spin bowler simulator]. Strauss and Tres also excelled in the field where the Aussie boys were fairly anonymous. On paper the England openers outscored their couterparts by 824 runs to 712.
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