Benaud boost for England

And last week star all-rounder Andrew Flintoff was sidelined for the rest of the season with an ankle problem.

He joined Simon Jones knee and Ashley Giles hip on England8217;s list of long-term casualties along with James Anderson back.

But former Australia captain Benaud, now as famous for his work as a television commentator as he was as a leg-spinning all-rounder and superb skipper during the 1950s and 1960s, insisted now was not the time to write off England8217;s chances.

8220;There is so much time to go between now and the start of the Ashes at Brisbane8217;s Gabba ground in November. We are only just half-way through July. You England might have 12 fit fast bowlers by the time the Ashes start.

8220;There is no point in anyone panicking. Eighteen months ago I was saying that if England have a fully-fit fast bowling attack they can easily regain the Ashes. Everyone laughed at me. The fast bowlers were the key then and they still are,8221; he also told the London Evening Standard.

Since the Ashes, England8217;s have won just two out of 10 Tests.8220;They made good progress in India, went a bit pear-shaped against Sri Lanka. Now they are starting to play better again,8221; Benaud, in England to cover the team8217;s ongoing home series against Pakistan, added.