ENGLAND should prepare to face an Australia attack even better than the one which dispatched them 5-0 on their last Ashes trip, according to Ryan Harris.

Mitchell Johnson, unstoppable with 37 wickets at 13.97 each four years ago, has since retired from international cricket and is therefore not back this time.
But his 2013/14 pace partner Harris, also retired but who will coach a Cricket Australia XI against England in Adelaide over the next four days, expects this winter’s challenge to be at least as taxing for the tourists.

As if to prove his point, within hours of Harris’ remarks, Test pace spearhead Mitchell Starc took a second hat-trick in successive innings against Western Australia in Sydney to complete New South
Wales’ Sheffield Shield victory.
Asked if the current Australia attack is superior to the one he and Johnson bowled in, Harris said: “I think so.

(Josh) Hazlewood’s probably doing the job that I did, and he’s quicker than me and gets more bounce.
“You’ve got Starc, who can definitely do a Johnson role, and you’ve got (Pat) Cummins – so you’ve probably got an extra bit of pace.”
Harris has plenty of respect too for England’s seamers, in a series which may well see ball dominate bat.

“The bowling line-ups are world class, and I think they’re going to have a big say on each Test match,” he added.
“(James) Anderson and (Stuart) Broad – I’m not sure about England’s third quick, probably (Chris) Woakes – but those two blokes can destroy games and destroy line-ups, and they’re proven good bowlers over here.

“I think both squads are a bit unsettled more on their batting line-ups – which I think brings them closer together.”
Harris believes the likely absence of key all-rounder Ben Stokes, however, will prove a major problem for England.

With Stokes still at home waiting to hear if he will be charged by Avon & Somerset Police after his arrest on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm in Bristol in September, Harris said: “It’s huge.
“If England lose wickets at the top, he is the one that comes out and steadies or counter-attacks.

(The Telegraph)