THERE is set to be a clash of styles when the Ashes get under way in Cardiff on Wednesday morning, with England looking to spin their way to glory.

Fast bowler Steve Harmison has been overlooked for the first Test despite causing Australia all manner of problems for England Lions last week during their drawn match at Worcester, claiming six wickets and reminding the tourists of the potent force he was in the 2005 series.

His Durham team-mate Graham Onions has got the nod in a 13-man squad, but it is likely that both he and batsman Ian Bell will not make the team.

Instead, England are likely to go with a twin-spin attack of Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann on a Cardiff wicket that is expected to turn sharply.

Panesar has been widely criticised for his lack of variety, not least from Shane Warne, and had claimed only six championship wickets in as many matches prior to grabbing three victims for England in last week’s warm-up match against Warwickshire.

He also struggled when playing for Northants against Glamorgan at the Swalec Stadium in mid-June, taking just two wickets from his 44 overs.

“It’s a strange thing, spin, because you can bowl well and not get wickets and then from nowhere you can just get a five-for and Monty’s that sort of performer,’’ said national selector Geoff Miller.

“He’s an international-quality bowler and we know what he’s capable of doing. By his own admission he would say he’s had a problem and has not been bowling as well as he could, but gradually it’s started getting better and better.

“His confidence isn’t back to the extent that it was when he was bowling sides out, but it’s not far from it.

“Having had discussions with Monty while he was playing for Northants I could see the gradual improvement. When you talk with someone you can see the improvement in what he’s trying to do and it’s getting better.’’ Meanwhile, Australia could well go into the clash without a specialist spinner.

Nathan Hauritz has struggled on tour so far and may be left out, with the slow bowling options coming from batsmen Simon Katich, Michael Clarke and Marcus North.

They could opt to go with four seamers in Brett Lee, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Johnson and Stuart Clark. However, coach Tim Nielsen has moved to give the only specialist spinner in his 16-man party a pick-me-up.

He said: “We won’t know until we get to Cardiff what side to select and the conditions will be critical.

“But Nathan has got better and better as we have gone on and there is no point in taking 12 wickets in warm-ups and not being right for the Test.

“He changed his pace a lot more and was able to cause a few more issues out of the rough for their left-handers.

“Remembering their Test squad usually has three left-handers to finish their order off and two at the top, an off-spinner will be pretty handy in that regard.’’