The Ashes 2010 countdown: 5 days...

11am update It's all going too well... Not only did England beat Australia A by ten wickets, but the last remaining bowler who needed to take some wickets, took some wickets. Step forward Monty Panesar (or should that be Jonty Panesar © Graem ), with three wickets. Mike Selvey's match report can be read here . Although there was a minor injury scare for Kevin Pietersen. Hauritz out The Australians have named their 13 for the Test match , and left out Nathan Hauritz in favour of left arm spinner Xavier Doherty. Doherty's inclusion might be a cunning one-point plan: to combat KP and his absolute bafflement by the left-arm spinning genre. As Mike Selvey says : Xavier Doherty has a first class average of 48.2, which doesn't quite make it the worst for any Australian spinner on debut. That dubious distinction, at 48.7, belongs to Steve Smith (Brad Hogg comes between them at 48.67). But a nice double whammy by the Australian selectors there. (Stats courtesy of Jim Maxwell). All-rounder Steve Smith is the other surprising-ish inclusion in the Australian XIII. Duncan Fletcher and Stuart Clark player-by-player analysis The former England coach rates the Australian team, while the former Australian bowler (who finished the last Ashes in Australia with the best bowling average on either side ), looks at the English players . Barney Ronay on The Fear Barney opines: England fans unnerved by absence of Australia greats: England's smooth preparations for the Ashes have created a sense of unease and even a yearning for early-tour catastrophe. A new Ashes folk song Oldfolkiepad has written a new song about the Ashes . This follows the work of melancholy genius that is his Mohammad Amir song from the summer. (Hat-tip PizzaRe ) Not the Ashes New Zealand have made a stumbling start against India in the third and deciding Test match . There is commentary on TestMatchSofa.com. Original post How did England do in Hobart? The latest score from England v Australia A can be found here . Ashes Video special Warne's nightmare Those of you that don't/won't watch Sky will not have seen this little treat: Gotta love Aerobics Pom Style Aussies steal I Vow To Thee My Country As a sort of riposte to that, bemusedfella recommended this: Bundaberg also make a ginger beer, but, as a something of an expert on this flavour of drink, I'd say that that is no match for Fentimans . Or Old Jamaica for that matter. Or Idris. Cricket outta Compton Away from the Ashes protagonists, AndyBull recommended this unexpected delight: Please post more video links and suggestions below the line. Historical treat The From The Guardian Archive series today looks back at the 1986/7 Ashes . And we all know what happened then, don't we... Updates Further Ashes coverage may appear here later. You can keep up to date with those via Twitter . Please comment and/or leave links to other interesting Ashes coverage below the line. Or email [email protected] .