Michael Slater has sounded a warning note to his Australian team-mates prior to this summer's Ashes series.

Slater, part of the Australian team who have recently had their winning run halted by a series defeat against India, remarked that: "England have had a couple of good series recently. They're confident and their form is up. They're going to be a lot tougher outfit."

The comments illustrate the progress made by the England team in the past few months. Before Christmas Glenn McGrath anticipated a 0-5 victory for the Australians, but the English victories in Pakistan and Sri Lanka have clearly shown the Australians they will have a tough summer if they are to retain the Ashes.

England have not won the Ashes since 1987, when Mike Gatting's team triumphed in Australia.

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