Strauss on an Ashes mission

Ashes fever is starting to take hold and it will step up when the England team travel out to Australia on November 25. Despite their troubles, Australia are sure to be a fearsome proposition on home soil. But, despite England having not won a series in Australia since 1987, former captain Michael Vaughan, writing in the Daily Telegraph, feels everything is in place for Andrew Strauss’ men to triumph.

"Andrew Strauss sets off on Friday on a mission to retain the Ashes armed with a team who have the best chance since 1986-87 of achieving something special in Australia.

For him personally this is his golden chance to put himself up there with the great captains in cricket history. This could be his time to stamp an indelible mark on the English game.

But that comes at a price. The expectation of England success this time is higher than ever before because the Australians are in such a state of flux.

Also, after all the preparation and expense the England and Wales Cricket Board has gone to in providing the research and the momentum the team have behind them, I will be very disappointed if they do not come back with the Ashes. There are no excuses. They have left no stone unturned.

Man for man, Strauss has got to make England believe that they are better than Australia.

Success will come down to whether England can handle the pressure and make Australia start doubting themselves on home soil.

Australia have lost their last three Test matches and, it does not matter who you are, it is a fact that you can get used to losing, even in an Ashes series.

England get on the plane today knowing they will not have to deal with Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath. They head to Australia to play a team that have lost the surprise factor. Australia are just a normal team now. There is a new breed of Australian player coming through but they are walking into a losing side which means that every little mistake a young guy makes could cost a win, or even a draw. That didn't happen in the past because the greats could get them out of trouble.

This is a great time to be leading an England team that's playing well. They have a great chance of winning and we all expect them to retain the Ashes and make history."