Unimpressed Holding says Oz can't win Ashes with openers like Warner, Cowan

Sydney, Apr 21 (ANI): Criticising Australia's Test openers' batting ability, former West Indies great Michael Holding believes that Australia cannot win the Ashes in England next year with David Warner and Ed Cowan at the top of the order.

Holding is not impressed by what he has seen of Australia's openers this series and fears they will be easy targets for England's fast bowlers.

Cowan and Warner, after scoring against India at home, are yet to prove their worth on the slow Caribbean wickets.

Individually, they have reached double figures in each of their four innings, but neither of them has registered a half-century against a Windies attack Holding rates as inferior to England's.

England's Test success under Andy Flower has been built around pace bowlers James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Chris Tremlett, Tim Bresnan and Steve Finn. They also have top-line spinner Graeme Swann, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

"I don't think the Australian openers are that hot, I think they have a lot of work to do, a lot of learning to do,"' Holding said.

"'I do not think these two will be good enough to do a good job in England for the Ashes," he added. (ANI)