YOU might have noticed that Shane Warne likes to offer an opinion. That's the kind of guy he is.

He is a fantastic judge of a cricketer and very knowledgeable about the game, so it is always interesting to hear or read about what he thinks.

But Warney also likes to try to do his bit for Australia – old habits die hard – and so even though he won't be playing this time he will try to put pressure on guys if he thinks it might help Australia win this summer's Ashes series.

When England left Steve Harmison and Michael Vaughan out of their 16-man Ashes squad for the summer, Warne said he thought that was a mistake and he was not alone in that opinion, at least in part.

Maybe it would have given England a bit of a psychological edge to include two players who have done well against Australia in the past but it looks as if the selectors have decided to be consistent and have gone with certain players who they think are the ones for the future. Vaughan and Harmison have not been part of that plan of late.

If your side is winning, it is not a good idea to change it around and maybe the England selectors thought the West Indies series was a success so they needed to stay with the players who did well for them.

I certainly think it would be a mistake to write off Vaughan and Harmison.

Vaughan has been a consistent performer for a long time but hasn't got many runs this season and needs to put that right in the Championship.

When Harmison is bowling well – and he has been taking wickets for Durham this season – there are very few who are as good as him and you would hope the selectors have said to both these guys that if they are performing and maybe an opportunity comes up, they are still in the picture.

The same should also apply to Ian Bell, who looks a fantastic batsman at times but has simply not scored as many runs for England as the selectors would have liked.

I'm glad they have given him the chance to captain the England Lions against Australia at Worcester because he is a young batsman with time on his side and if he gets runs in this game, it could just give his career a kick start.

As a batsman, it is often said that you don't reach your best until you are 30 and certainly you do become more aware of your game as you get older. Bell has got the ability but he needs to deliver.

I think if you look at the two squads there is very little to choose between them.

Whichever side wins is going to have to play well and it almost comes down to the least number of passengers you are carrying, the greater your chance of winning.

There are a few obvious match-winners on either side but I think the difference will come down to whichever team's lesser lights stand up and do well.

There is no-one with the reputation of a Warne or a McGrath with the ball but that's a chance for a Broad, an Onions or a Siddle to become a hero. It is a great opportunity for one of them to make their name.

The Ashes is getting close now – the first Test is less than two weeks away – and I think it's going to be a very good series.