STRAUSS CONFIDENT

England captain Andrew Strauss has confident on his his team for ashes first Test here against Australia his developing side have the character required to cope with the pressure of Ashes cricket.

England’s form since winning the 2005 Ashes has been ordinary and when the Ashes were last up in 2006/07, they were thrashed Australia 5-0 in Australia.

While the presence of Strauss, Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff remain from the side that triumph four years ago, at least five players – Ravi Bopara, Matt Prior, Graeme Swann, Stuart Broad and Graham Onions – could be making their debuts here at Sophia Gardens.

But strauss has confident on his team to bring ashes home.