LONDON, July 20: Ricky Ponting believes England’s decision to pick a team containing five ‘Ashes virgins’ for Thursday’s first Test at Lord’s is a huge boost for Australia while Glenn McGrath is poised to claim his 500th wicket.

Opener Andrew Strauss, middle-order trio Ian Bell, debutant Kevin Pietersen and all-rounder Andrew Flintoff as well as Australia-raised ‘keeper Geraint Jones will all be playing their first Test against England’s oldest foes.

And Australia captain Ponting, speaking at Lord’s on Wednesday, said the move could rebound on England.

“I think it can help us and I think it can be a bit of a hindrance for the English team. Quite a few of their players haven’t played any Test match cricket against Australia.

“I’ve heard a few things over here that could be a positive for them, but it can be a massive negative for them,” Ponting told reporters.

Australia have won the last eight Ashes campaigns and Mike Gatting was the last England captain to enjoy a series win over the men in baggy green caps in Australia in 1986-87.

But home hopes of turning the tide are high with England ranked number two in the world after five straight Test series wins.

“The England side have done very well over the last 12-18 months, there’s no doubt about that. They deserve their number two ranking.

“An Ashes series is the biggest series an Australia team ever plays and this one made more special by the way England team have played of late,” Ponting added.

Australia stumbled early in the tour, losing twice to England in One-day Internationals and also suffering a shock reverse against Bangladesh in the NatWest triangular series match at Cardiff last month.

But they won their last two one-day games against England in convincing fashion and now start the Ashes at a ground where they haven’t lost a Test since 1934.

“We’ve got lots of great memories here, I’ve never lost a game at Lord’s it’s almost like a second home for us,” Ponting explained.

England fast bowler Matthew Hoggard suggested on Tuesday that the likes of 35-year-old Australia fast bowler Glenn McGrath might struggle to cope with the demands of back-to-back Tests.

But Ponting countered: “It wouldn’t be any of their batsmen who said that.”

On a more serious point, Ponting had been keen that both sides accept the word of a fieldsman when it came to disputed catches.

He wanted to keep the third umpire — who the on-field officials can only refer a catch to if neither of them has seen what’s happened themselves — out of this area because television replays are often inconclusive and so advantage the batsman, who must be given not out if there is any doubt.

However, following a meeting with England captain Michael Vaughan and Sri Lankan match referee Ranjan Madugalle, Ponting said: “They (the umpires — South Africa’s Rudi Koertzen and Pakistan’s Aleem Dar) are going to ask the fielder on the field if he’s caught it.

“If the fieldsman says yes, it’s up to the umpires on the field to make a definite decision.”

Australia have yet to name their final XI with doubts surrounding the fitness and form of fast bowler Jason Gillespie, who missed training on Tuesday with soreness behind both knees.

“We’ve got conditions to take into account and I haven’t seen the wicket. We’ve got five fast bowlers competing for three spots.

“Shaun Tait is bowling pretty well, a lot of guys have been trying to keep away from him in the nets over last few days,” said Ponting, playing down talk of a head-to-head battle between Gillespie and Michael Kasprowicz.

Earlier Vaughan, who confirmed England had omitted uncapped Hampshire seamer Chris Tremlett from their 12-man squad, said: “Both sets of players are sick and tired of talking about the Ashes.”

McGrath has predicted a 5-0 win for Australia but Vaughan refused to be drawn. “If you start thinking of the third Test, fourth Test you are too far ahead of yourself. If they’re saying 5-0 fair enough, we firmly believe it won’t be 5-0.

“It’s important to break the Ashes into small parts and concentrate on doing the small things well. Then the big things look after themselves.”

Teams:

ENGLAND: Marcus Trescothick, Andrew Strauss, Michael Vaughan (captain), Ian Bell, Kevin Pietersen, Andrew Flintoff, Geraint Jones, Ashley Giles, Simon Jones, Matthew Hoggard, Stephen Harmison.