ENGLAND could easily go into the Ashes series boasting three left-handers at the top of their order.

Marcus Trescothick, Andrew Strauss and Graham Thorpe are expected to feature prominently against Ricky Ponting's men.

And that's good news for Hampshire captain Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath.

Of the current Test bowlers, McGrath has taken more wickets (149 out of 499) than anyone else against left-handers.

Warne is second in the list with 128 left-handed victims out of 583.

Mark Butcher is another left-hander but he could well be omitted to accommodate Hampshire's Kevin Pietersen.

Former New Zealand wicket-keeper Ian Smith believes Warne has never bowled better in his life, and hailed the return of his once-feared flipper.

Warne abandoned the flipper, which is really a back-spinner and is bowled underhand, after shoulder surgery in the late 1990s.

But Smith saw enough on the recent tour of New Zealand to suggest it might have made a comeback.

"England and other international teams have their work cut out to beat this Australian outfit," Smith said.

"Warne is bowling better than ever and proved that against New Zealand. He also tried the flipper occasionally."

Following his 17 wickets at just over 22 in the recent three-Test series in New Zealand, Warne has leapt up to fifth place in the LG ICC World Rankings.

McGrath is currently top of the list with a third Aussie, Jason Gillespie, seventh. England's highest wicket-taker is Steven Harmison (9th).

Hampshire manager Paul Terry has ruled out any move for former Yorkshire batsman Darren Lehmann after the Aussie was omitted from this summer's Ashes Test squad.

Yesterday's friendly at Northants was called off because of the weather.