The Ashes 2013: Five battles within the battle

4. Kevin Pietersen vs. Mitchell Starc

Mitchell Starc has the raw ability but he needs to nourish it. His naivety comes through when he loses control in trying to extract that extra yard of pace. He can falter when the conditions are offering too much assistance and must stick to his basics.

His ability to take the ball across can prove to be effective against England‘s stellar batsman, Kevin Pietersen. The flamboyant right-handed batsman has been out nursing an injury and though he has proved his preparedness in some warm-up games, the real thing will be a challenge for him initially.

Pietersen gives the English team that extra bit of punch as he is adept at playing a counter-attacking innings when the side has lost some early wickets.