PORTSMOUTH (England), June 28: John Lever, a member of England’s Ashes-winning side of 1978-79, believes time has caught up with Australia’s ageing superstars. Lever said even the formidable Glenn McGrath, now 35, was beginning to show signs of wear and tear and reckoned this summer’s series provided England with their best chance of success for 20 years.

“I saw McGrath bowling in 32 degrees of heat last week and it definitely affected him, as it did me when I was reaching the veteran stage of my career.

“I think it will come down to the last Test and England will win that because the age factor is bound to work in England’s favour over a short, sharp and exhausting series,” added Lever, in Portsmouth playing for an Old England XI against Portsmouth Grammar School.

The Essex left-arm pace bowler was a member of Mike Brearley’s squad which beat the Australians 5-1 at a time when Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket had deprived the Aussies of their best players.

“Beating the Australians is always a major achievement and when we did it the gloss was taken off but this time it would be a lot different.”

Lever, now 56, who took 73 wickets in 21 Tests, is still wary of the threat posed by leg-break legend Shane Warne and rejuvenated fast bowler Brett Lee.

“The Australians have got the best spinner I have ever seen and Warne is still their biggest danger.

“You could put him on any wicket and he would do damage. It goes without saying that he is one of the best bowlers of all time and needs to be controlled.

“Brett Lee has matured over the last year and McGrath will remain a threat if he can overcome the heat.

Lever believes England must find a place for Kevin Pietersen, who has yet to play Test cricket despite, before Tuesday’s game against world champions Australia, averaging over 115 in One-day Internationals, even if it means calling time on Graham Thorpe’s Test career a few matches prematurely.

—AFP