AFTER clinching their first series win in South Africa for 40 years, Chief Sports Writer Scott Wilson looks at how England and Australia shape up ahead of this summer's battle for the Ashes.

ENGLAND

Marcus Trescothick: There is no middle ground with the England opener - he is either bang in form or totally off key. His two centuries in this series were sensational with his blistering 180 decisive in the fourth Test 7

Andrew Strauss: Deservedly named man of the series with three centuries. The most significant find in Test cricket during the last 12 months and the Aussies will see his wicket as their top scalp next summer 9

Robert Key: The number three position is one of England's few problem areas and, with Mark Butcher due to return to full fitness, Key could find himself ditched for the first Test at Lord's. Other than hitting 83 in this month's fourth Test, Key struggled 5

Michael Vaughan: When England last toured Australia, Vaughan played like a man possessed to provide one of the few high spots in a disappointing campaign. His captaincy is impressive but his lack of form with the bat is a concern. Yesterday's 26 was his third highest score of the series 5

Graham Thorpe: After his Test career looked to be dead in the water two years ago, Thorpe has undergone a remarkable renaissance. His unbeaten 118 almost set up victory at Durban 7

Andrew Flintoff: After starring with the bat last summer, Flintoff made headlines with the ball this winter - his 23-wicket haul proved crucial. The importance of his confidence and bravura should be not under-estimated against a side like Australia 9

Geraint Jones: While Jones has performed adequately, the wicket-keeper debate rumbles on. Picked ahead of Chris Read because of his ability with the bat, Jones could only contribute sporadically. His two dropped catches in the fourth Test did not prove crucial but, against Australia, chances will be far more limited 6

Ashley Giles: With the South African pitches offering little spin, Giles' impact was always going to be limited. But the Warwickshire off-spinner stuck to his task and ended with 11 wickets. No Shane Warne, but England still look more balanced with him in the side 6

Matthew Hoggard: Started the tour as the weakest link in England's pace attack, but ended it as the leading wicket taker. Hoggard's ability to move the ball is the perfect foil for the raw pace of Steve Harmison and Simon Jones 8

Simon Jones: The Glamorgan quickie has edged James Anderson out of the side and now looks a far more reliable prospect than he did last winter. His 4-49 swung the first Test England's way, while his 4-47 forced South Africa onto the back-foot at Centurion 7

Steve Harmison: After his stellar performances of the last 12 months, Harmison was always going to suffer a blip eventually. But nobody expected his decline to be so dramatic or so long-lasting. He ended the series with just nine wickets, but at least he is unlikely to be so ineffective again. 5

TOTAL = 74

AUSTRALIA

Justin Langer: Showed his class by hitting a superb 191 in the first Test of his side's recent series whitewash against Pakistan. The disdainful manner in which he dealt with Shoaib Akhtar suggests facing Steve Harmison will not faze him 8

Matthew Hayden: After turning 32, this winter's series gave the first hint that Hayden may finally have passed his peak. He ended with 128 runs from three Tests and looked to have paid the price for Australia's punishing international schedule 6

Ricky Ponting: Australia's new skipper has picked up where Steve Waugh left off. Inspirational captaincy has combined with blistering displays with the bat. Ponting averaged more than 100 against Pakistan 8

Damien Martyn: After being named man of the series this winter, Martyn will travel to England next summer in the form of his life. His run of 100 not out, 142 and 67 capped a sensational 2004 in which he established himself as Australia's most fluent batsman 9

Darren Lehmann: A rare weak link in the Australian armoury, Lehmann's poor form actually led to him being dropped for the final Test in Sydney 4

Michael Clarke: He might be Australia's 'next big thing', but Clarke suffered his first major setback in the recent series win. His top score was only 35 5

Adam Gilchrist: While England's selectors talk of Geraint Jones as a wicket-keeper who can bat, Australia know that Gilchrist is a batsman who keeps wicket. His 113 at Sydney was spectacular 8

Shane Warne: England's nemesis is sure to be firing on all cylinders by the summer. Asked to play a containing role against Pakistan he still finished with 14 wickets 7

Jason Gillespie: Over-shadowed by Glenn McGrath - as he always is - but his pace partner would only be half as effective were it not for Gillespie's steadying influence 7

Michael Kasprowicz: After spending the last year embroiled in a selection battle with Brett Lee, Kasprowicz's 5-30 in the first Test saw him gain the upper hand 7

Glenn McGrath: Steve Harmison might claim otherwise, but Australians still view McGrath as the best pace bowler in the world. It was difficult to disagree when he took 8-24 at Perth and his series haul of 18 wickets - at 14.44 - underlined his enduring ability 9

TOTAL = 78