Battle for the Ashes

One of the greatest sporting rivalries will be renewed tomorrow with one of sport's smallest prizes at stake. Yet, while the fight for the Ashes on English turf has often witnessed relatively even contests, that has rarely been the case Down Under.

The last time England won a Test series in Australia was way back in 1986/7 with the last resulting in a 5-0 whitewash for the home side. You have to go back even further to 1954/5 and the era of Len Hutton to find the last time an English Captain won an Ashes series in both Australia and England, which is what Andrew Strauss would do should he manage to mastermind victory.

Vulture Street is the scene of the first battle as England are welcomed to Woolloongabba, although Australia have picked them to pieces here in the past.

The last series started here in 2006 with Steve Harmison sending the first delivery straight to Freddie Flintoff at first slip. The team that wins in Brisbane has gone on to win the series every year since 1954.

Last time they arrived in Australia, England's players were holding the Ashes only to be given the most brutal beating. Given the recent history, why is English optimism riding high?

Firstly, the recent form of the respective teams and the performance of the individuals within each team. England arrive on the back of two series victories while Australia have stumbled.

England have also invested more in their preparation, arriving earlier than ever before and having tested themselves against two top Australian state sides and a team of Australian hopefuls. This is geared towards them becoming more accustomed to the different wickets they will have to play on and the softer Kookaburra balls. Early results have been excellent with two wins and a rain-affected draw.

This is no coincidence as England's management team has vital local knowledge. Andy Flower, while having played his Test cricket for Zimbabwe, spent a full season in Australian league cricket. He is ably assisted by bowling coach, Dave Saker, a former Victoria State swing bowler who should be able to advise England's young seamers how to tame the Fremantle Doctor and use all conditions to the best of their capabilities.

Australia is also predicting wet and windy weather, conditions that could suit the English seamers. Certainly Sheffield Shield scores have been reduced to those of English springtime as modern Australian batsmen reinforce the view that they like flat tracks and fear a swinging ball.

As the series unfolds, take a look out for 23-year-old New South Wales batsman Usman Khawaja who could become the first Muslim to play for Australia in their 133-year history. The stylish left-hander, who can also boast being a qualified pilot on his CV, was called up to Australia's 13-man Ashes squad as cover for Michael Clarke, and has averaged over 50 in first-class cricket.

Despite England only needing to draw the series, with recent performances and the projected favourable weather conditions, I believe the relative inexperience of the English seamers will place too much pressure on their batsmen and that the Aussies will be waving their gold flags high and out-singing the Barmy Army by the end of the series in Sydney in January.

Finally, if the Brisbane Test fails to act as a barometer, take a trip to watch the Desert Ashes in Awali - last year the English battered the Aussies who will be seeking their revenge!