Ahead of the third  2009 Ashes Test that starts at Edgbaston tomorrow Andrew Strauss certainly thinks so. The England cricket team captain has, in a move that is calculated to raise the stakes claimed that this incarnation of the Australia cricket team have lost their aura and no longer can put fear into their opponents.

Strauss, whose side already hold the advantage of being 1-0 up after two matches, believes that the  Australia team they are facing are  no different to any other Test side. Kevin Pietersen, who is missing out on the rest of this Ashes series due to injury, has already said of the Australians they  “do not have the presence and personalities of the previous teams we played”.

He has a point what can an Australian  team shorne of the likes of Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath offer? Strauss harking back to the disasterous former 2006-07 Ashes Test said  “ At the back of our minds we wondered whether [Adam] Gilchrist would blast a hundred or Warne would take five wickets from nowhere. Australia had that and I don’t feel that is where they are at the moment. That is not being disrespectful to the team they have because they have a lot of very good players. They are at the start of their Test careers and, by definition, they do not have an aura about them. It does not mean we are any more likely to beat them, but it feels like you are playing against any other Test team.”

The England cricket team have had the further excellent news that the iconic Andrew Flintoff has responded well to treatment to his right knee.Additionally Ian Bell and Graham Onions have overcome injury scares and have been declared fit.

Ricky Ponting, the Australia captain poured cold water on this claim, suggesting  that Strauss had changed his tune since England  great escape with a draw in less than three weeks ago. Hes said “It is OK for Andrew to say that now,” I am not sure he was saying that after Cardiff. I think we had it well and truly over most of their batsmen down there. Aura is built up over a period of time and we have some fresh faces who are just starting to find their feet at international level. The aura of a side changes and comes about with performances. If we put in a performance here, then England may be thinking slightly differently at the end of the game.”

When Pointing was asked if  England carry an aura,he said: “I don’t see how else you can do it without winning everything and being on top. England’s current Test rating would probably indicate they don’t have one.”

A lot of Aussie pundits back home have put down their cricket teams’ lack of spirit to being under orders to cut out the sledging but Strauss believes that the sledging issue has been over exagerated and said  “When we played Australia before, there were instances of it, but it was not widespread I just think guys who have played four or five Test matches probably do not carry as much weight when they say something to you. It is only after a long period of performances, both individual and team, that they have that ability to scare opposition teams.”

England will  not be retaining the services of Monty Panesar for this test,  a decision heavily influenced by the  rain that has fallen in the Birmingham area.The Australians have advised that there will not be wholesale changes in the team and that it is likely that the off form Mitchell Johnson will keep his place.Ponting said “There has certainly been a lot of attention focused on Mitchell from everyone, but I am a bit more worried about the weather than anything else to tell the truth.”.

Strauss has vowed there will be no hiding place for the respite for the left-arm pace bowler, saying: “In Test cricket there is no time for sympathy. If an opposition bowler is struggling, you do not want to give him confidence by getting out to him.”

Ponting also believes he has spotted a weak spot in the England team  “I have listened a lot to Ian [Bell] this week talking about his record against Australia not being as good as against other teams. There is a great opportunity for us to get into their middle order” he said.

Well the ten day lay off is now over and it is time to get back to more 2009 Ashes action with two more back to back Test’s to look forward to. Let battle recommence !