AFTER a barnstorming start to Kevin Pietersen's England career, the flamboyant Springbok has attracted a large share of the hype that usually surrounds the all-action figure of Andrew Flintoff.

All eyes will be focused on the pair, with coach Duncan Fletcher regularly experimenting with Geraint Jones as an opener, at Riverside today against Australia in the NatWest Series One Day International when they could be unveiled at five and six.

The furthest thing from each player's mind at the Chester-le-Street crease will be how many headlines they can grab in tomorrow morning's newspapers, and more on working out the number of runs they can put on the board against the Aussies.

Large things are expected of the youthful Pietersen and the fact he is receiving just as much, if not more, attention than his England team-mate signifies the outstanding talent he possesses with his bat.

But, while an admirer of the less experienced Hampshire star, former England skipper Nasser Hussain is maintaining that the explosive quality of Flintoff remains key to the chances of success over Australia, not only today, but in the Ashes Tests.

The Lancashire all-rounder failed to deliver in the warm-up match at the Rose Bowl last week against Hampshire when he was caught for just five. Saving his best some would quite rightly say.

Hussain is one of those.

Suggesting any ineffectual display from the 27-year-old in the past will count for very little if he can produce when it matters against Ricky Ponting's side.

"Flintoff has to be performing as he is the heartbeat of the side," said Hussain, the player's former captain who is commentating for Sky Sports today.

"He has led the side with batting, bowling and catching in the past and there are very few that can match that when he is at his best.

"If Flintoff is being blown away then that will have a bad effect on the dressing room - that's the last thing England need.

"But, conversely, if he keeps smashing Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne all over the place then it will bring back memories of the way Ian Botham led England to victory in the Ashes all those years ago.

"It's not just about batting and bowling.

"Catching is going to be important against the Aussies. This is Australia we are talking about and they are an exceptional side. That can never be discounted.

"We have had too many players in the past who have dropped catches against the Aussies and you just can't afford to do that.

"Flintoff is someone who is fantastic at catching the ball. If we can keep him fit, and the rest of the players fit, there's a chance of beating Australia.

"Flintoff, just like Steve Harmison, is almost irreplaceable. There's no-one like him in County Cricket."

There was a worry over Harmison's fitness before the NatWest Series even started.

He had to sit out England's comfortable win over Hampshire with an ankle problem - a precautionary measure it later transpired.

The 26-year-old's importance to Michael Vaughan's side has been under-played by the paceman himself, but it has been a stance that has not fooled Hussain.

For Harmison there has been no hiding place during the months building up to this Ashes summer.

Just about everyone with an opinion on cricket has earmarked the Durham bowler as the most important factor if England are to beat Australia.

And, despite the Ashington Express' insistence to the contrary, Hussain agrees with the rest of the country.

"I have read Harmison repeating that he does not see himself as the main man against Australia, but when you see him bowl like he has been he is the main man," said Hussain.

"If he does then England have a really good chance. It's great to see him running in like he did against Bangladesh when he claimed five for 38 at Riverside in the first innings of the Test match.

"He keeps saying it and I wish I agreed with him. But he blew Bangladesh away with clever thoughtful bowling and he can do it to anyone if he puts his mind to it."

Since making his Test debut in August three years ago against India in an England side skippered by Hussain, Harmison has grown in strength, stature and power.

And former Essex opener Hussain insists the North-East's leading cricket light is poised to go on to even greater things.

"I really enjoyed playing with him. He is a genuine lad and a loyal lad.

"We earmarked him along time ago. He's raw but he has bits that needs working on," said Hussain.

"Harmison is a local lad has been playing wonderfully for Durham this season and in the sort of form he has been showing he is unstoppable. He has the belief. Of course he does."

The mind games have started ahead of today's NatWest Series encounter. They will get even worse ahead of the first Ashes meeting on July 21.

But, despite Australia's arrogant words to the contrary, Hussain's convinced the men from Down Under's arrogance will already have a kink in the armour.

"The Aussies will think and hope that it will be a lot closer and that this England side will come at them.

"They are the sort of side that like a fight and a battle," he said.

"It's first versus second and we are definitely the second best team in the world. It should be great and the Aussies do have something to worry about."

* Sky Sports are broadcasting the NatWest Series and Challenge exclusively live and interactive.