Brendon McCullum's guide to England and Australia heading into the Ashes: 'Alastair Cook is a stubborn b******!'

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Five-match Ashes series between England and Australia begins this week
Australia won the last series 5-0 after three successive defeats
New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum gives his verdict on both teams

Published: 16:30 EST, 7 July 2015 | Updated: 10:02 EST, 8 July 2015

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Having just played England in all forms of the game off the back of a World Cup final defeat by Australia, New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum knows a thing or two about both sides.

Here, the newest member of Sportsmail's brilliant cricket team offers his opinion on the 22 players expected to play in the first Test, while he also gives his verdict on the final result.

ENGLAND

Alastair Cook (bat/capt)

Age: 30 Tests: 114 Runs: 9,000 Ave: 46.87 HS: 294. Ashes Tests: 25 Runs: 1,787 Ave: 39.71 HS: 235*

He’s a stubborn b******! And that’s why he’s able to come out the other side of the tough times he’s had. He leads by example and is clearly driven to succeed, judging by all he has achieved. He’s going to have a huge series because against us he looked right at the top of his game.

England captain Alastair Cook signs autographs for fans after a training session at Cardiff on Tuesday

Adam Lyth (bat)

Age: 27 Tests: 2 Runs: 150 Ave: 37.50 HS: 107. Ashes Tests: 0

Still early days but I like the fact he’s prepared to have a go and doesn’t like to pass up scoring opportunities. He’s a pretty good foil for Cook and showed in scoring a hundred against us at Headingley that he can do it at this level. The Ashes will be something else for him.

Gary Ballance (bat)

Age: 25 Tests: 13 Runs: 1,096 Ave: 52.19 HS: 156 Ashes Tests: 1 Runs: 25 Ave: 12.50 HS: 18

I wouldn’t have him at three. I’d have Joe Root there. From what I have seen he looks to be a No 5 batter to provide some ballast for Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler and Moeen Ali after him. He had his problems against Trent Boult and both Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Johnson will provide a very stiff test.

Ian Bell (bat)

Age: 33 Tests: 110 Runs: 7,354 Ave: 43.77 HS: 235. Ashes Tests: 28 Runs: 1,768 Ave: 36.83 HS: 115

You can’t keep good players down for long. He has great stats and it wouldn’t surprise me if he had a huge series. Bell and I had a chat about how to play the two left-armers when I arrived at Birmingham, but I don’t think it’s up to me to tell him how to play!

Joe Root (bat)

Age: 24 Tests: 27 Runs: 2,273 Ave: 54.11 HS: 200*. Ashes Tests: 9 Runs: 531 Ave: 33.18 HS: 180

You have your best players in the key positions and Joe could achieve anything at three for England. It’s not a question of him being in great form in the last 12 months, he is simply that good. Root takes the game to you, he’s very savvy and has a nice demeanour.

Joe Root - seen here training on Tuesday - has to bat at No 3, according to Brendon McCullum

Joe Root on how the England cricket team pass time

Ben Stokes (all-rounder)

Age: 24 Tests: 11 Runs: 683 Ave: 34.15 HS: 120 Wkts: 29 Ave: 43.24 Best: 6-99 Ashes Tests: 4 Runs: 279 Ave: 34.87 HS: 120 Wkts: 15 Ave: 32.80 Best: 6-99

I like him a lot. The Australians will go hard at him and it will be interesting to see how he reacts. He takes on the short ball but if you pitch it up he will hit you straight back down the ground. Bowls some magic balls, too.

Jos Buttler (wkt)

Age: 24 Tests: 8 Runs: 474 Ave: 52.66 HS: 85 Ashes Tests: 0

Love him. He’s a proper player. I know it’s early in his Test career but he is going to be a significant figure in this Ashes. He could be one of the differences between the teams. He showed at Leeds against us that he can play both ways. Jos is the right guy at the right time.

McCullum is a huge fan of young England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler, seen here batting against New Zealand

Moeen Ali (all-rounder)

Age: 28 Tests: 11 Runs: 456 Ave: 28.50 HS: 108* Wkts: 33 Ave: 32.60 Best: 6-67. Ashes Tests: 0

My choice as spinner because there will be rough outside the right-hander’s off stump. If he can tweak his line and pitch the ball a bit wider he is going to ask questions. Australia will see his bowling as an opportunity to score but if he can hold his nerve and have a bit more presence he will be fine.

Stuart Broad (bowl)

Age: 29 Tests: 79 Wkts: 287 Ave: 29.77 Best: 7-44. Ashes Tests: 17 Wkts: 63 Ave: 29.95 Best: 6-50

A real leader in the group. He is ready for a big series, has started to get his batting back and has spells that can win a Test. Wouldn’t surprise me if we see one or two more like the ones he produced at The Oval in 2009 and Durham in 2013. The key will be if he stays on the park.

Mark Wood (bowl)

Age: 25 Tests: 2 Wkts: 9 Ave: 33.22 Best: 3-93. Ashes Tests: 0

Bowls fast, swings it away, skiddy, has a good bouncer and uses the crease well. He’s also always got a smile on his face. A big-hearted personality, he’s got the perfect temperament for a Test match bowler and he’s going to go far.

Durham fast bowler Mark Wood is set to make his Ashes debut having impressed in the New Zealand series

Jimmy Anderson (bowl)

Age: 32 Tests: 104 Wkts: 403 Ave: 29.42 Best: 7-43. Ashes Tests: 23 Wkts: 77 Ave: 36.96 Best: 5-73

Top wicket-taker and is more dangerous with the Dukes ball than anyone in world cricket. If he can’t get the ball swinging nobody can and he will get his share of wickets, apply pressure and lead that attack.

AUSTRALIA

David Warner (bat)

Age: 28 Tests: 38 Runs: 3,231 Ave: 46.82 HS: 180. Ashes Tests: 8 Runs: 661 Ave: 44.06 HS: 124

Outstanding cricketer and I hope he makes more headlines on the field than off it. He doesn’t need to be distracted and doesn’t have to be the guy who stokes the fire. He’s got incredible ability and puts bums on seats.

Chris Rogers (bat)

Age: 37 Tests: 20 Runs: 1,535 Ave: 39.35 HS: 119 Ashes Tests: 10 Runs: 830 Ave: 43.68 HS: 119

Has played a lot of cricket here and that should stand him in good stead in what he has said will be his last series. Chris is a tough customer and a perfect foil for Warner.

Veteran opening batsman Chris Rogers has plenty of experience of English conditions

Steve Smith (bat)

Age: 26 Tests: 28 Runs: 2,587 Ave: 56.23. HS: 199. Ashes Tests: 13 Runs: 831 Ave: 37.77 HS: 138*

A genius player and moving him to three has proved a really good move. Seems he’s got a nice demeanour too. It’ll be interesting to see the plan England come up with.

Michael Clarke (bat/capt)

Age: 34 Tests: 110 Runs: 8,511 Ave: 50.66 HS: 329*. Ashes Tests: 30 Runs: 2,109 Ave: 44.87 HS: 187

Five Tests will be tough with his body but he’s had the mental strength to come through a lot, like the Phil Hughes tragedy. The way he stood up then was a real show of leadership. His captaincy is superb, he has a great tactical brain, and is more aggressive than Cook.

Five Test in a short space of time will be a test of Australia captain Michael Clarke's fitness

Captain Michael Clarke introduces his dad's army Ashes squad

Adam Voges (bat)

Age: 35 Tests: 2 Runs: 167 Ave: 167. HS: 130*. Ashes Tests: 0

What a great story, making his Test debut so late in life. Churned out runs and been rewarded now with an Ashes series. Adam has developed into an outstanding cricketer and he’s a great team man, too.

Shane Watson (all-rounder)

Age: 34 Tests: 58 Runs: 3,682 Ave: 35.40 HS: 176 Wkts: 75 Ave: 33.05 Best: 6-33 Ashes Tests: 18 Runs: 1,438 Ave: 43.57 HS: 176 Wkts: 9 Ave: 63.66 Best: 1-0

His experience could be crucial. He will do whatever is required to fill the role asked of him with the ball and No 6 is a good spot for him. Needs some runs but he’s tough so I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes well.

Brad Haddin (wkt)

Age: 37 Tests: 65 Runs: 3,682 Ave: 35.40 HS: 169. Ashes Tests: 19 Runs: 1,337 Ave: 43.12 HS: 136

Very good player, but I would love to see him drop the other stuff and get on with playing the game. He’s a good fella who becomes all confrontational on the field. Not easy following Adam Gilchrist but he’s done a very good job.

Brad Haddin (centre) gives McCullum's Kiwi team-mate Grant Elliott an earful during the World Cup final

Mitchell Johnson (bowl)

Age: 33 Tests: 66 Wkts: 291 Ave: 27.58 Best: 8-61. Ashes Tests: 14 Wkts: 72 Ave: 23.91 Best: 7-40

If he is fit and strong he can have a major impact on another Ashes series. Over the past couple of months he has looked a little bit tired — but still effective — and we will see if he can be as fast and hostile as last time.

Mitchell Starc (bowl)

Age: 25 Tests: 17 Wkts: 60 Ave: 32.20 Best: 6-154. Ashes Tests: 3 Wkts: 11 Ave: 32.45 Best: 3-76

Has found an extra yard of pace over the last year. Still raw but has got the attributes to be a success — height, speed, and the fact he’s left-arm. Will bowl full and straight with the occasional short ball.

Big things are expected of left arm quick Mitchell Starc (centre) during this Ashes series

Josh Hazlewood (bowl)

Age: 24 Tests: 5 Wkts: 24 Ave: 19.08 Best: 5-38. Ashes Tests: 0

He is going to be very good. Similar to Mark Wood in that he’s been a bit off the radar but in these conditions he will apply pressure. He can get bounce and should swing the Dukes ball. Even if England see off Starc and Johnson there will be no respite from Hazlewood.

Nathan Lyon (bowl)

Age: 27 Tests: 41 Wkts: 146 Ave: 34.73 Best: 7-94. Ashes Tests: 8 Wkts: 28 Ave: 30.75 Best: 5-50

Seemed to learn a lot bowling in the UAE. Has started bowling wider to the right-handers, opening up both sides of the bat. Over here that’s a good way to operate and it will be interesting to see how England play him.

McCullum's Ashes verdict: It’s going to be much tighter than a lot of people think. Whoever starts well could have the edge. The score at the end of the series will be 2-1 — and it could go either way.