Shane Warne has praised the new found resilience of the England team and admitted that Australia face a stern examination in the coming battle for the Ashes.

Despite their 108-run loss to Pakistan in the Second Test, Warne believes that England are a much tougher outfit than they have been on any of his previous Ashes tours.

"The difference I've noticed watching England is a bit more fight," said Warne. "Normally when they're 20 for two or 20 for three they'd be 50 for five. We saw the other day with Thorpe and Vaughan there's a little bit more fight and they were then 280-odd for two."

He was quick to credit the captain and coach team of Hussain and Fletcher for the turn around in fortunes of the England Test team.

"You've got to take you hat off to Nasser and Duncan Fletcher. England are a lot tougher than they used to be. They're not going to throw the towel in. You know they won't collapse if you get a couple of early wickets."

Warne had words of respect for England opening attack too, praising both their discipline and determination.

"Caddick's got a lot more ticker now. He keeps firing in when before he used to sulk around a little bit. Now him and Goughie are two of the best quicks in the world. You won't get an easy ride from those guys. They'll always be at you and giving you short-ones.

"The big thing is their discipline with line and length, they hit the deck on off-stump with the odd bumper and it's hard to score."

On a personal level Warne admitted that this could well be his last tour of England. "This might be my last tour to England and I want to make it something special," he confessed.

"The '93 and '97 Ashes tours were very successful with runs and wickets and I took a few catches. In the World Cup I was the bloke with the most wickets and Man of the Match in the semi-final and final. I've got some special memories from over here. More of the same in this tour would be nice.

"In four years I'll be going on 36. The Waugh brothers are just turned 36 and are playing the best cricket of their lives. Who knows? A lot happens in four years. You're as old as you feel and I feel about 72 at the moment," he joked.

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