Former England captain Michael Atherton believes the Australian attack will be no better for this year's Ashes than it was when they lost the 2005 series.
In particular Atherton singled out veteran paceman Glenn McGrath, saying that the 115-Test veteran is unable to dominate Tests like he did at his peak.
"In terms of personnel, I can't see that Australia's bowling is going to improve from the last Ashes series," Atherton said on Sydney's Triple M radio.
"They don't seem to have brought in anybody new and the guys are obviously a little bit older.
"[Mike] Hussey is obviously a big improvement in the batting as somebody you've brought in.
"But generally, although Australia have obviously played well since the Ashes and won a lot of games, it's hard to see that their level of performance is going to be so much better than last summer because the personnel doesn't seem to have changed very much.
"On the other hand England are not playing as well as they were (in 2005).
"Australia have home advantage. You'd have to say they'd start favourites."
Stuart Clark is expected to take the No.3 bowling spot for Australia after impressing since he debuted against South Africa, while Brett Lee is expected to spearhead the attack.
McGrath only played three matches in an injury-hampered Ashes series but still managed 19 wickets at 23.15.
The NSW paceman has since taken time off from the game to be with his wife after she was re-diagnosed with cancer, though he has been under a heavy training schedule recently in order to be fit for this year's series.
While Atherton was harsh on Australia's bowlers, he was also critical of his own side's bowling attack, saying that it had lacked firepower in recent series against Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India.
"Since the Ashes it's been a little bit of the old England, a few good games and a few bad games," he said.
"They're missing (Andrew) Flintoff and (Simon) Jones. (Steve) Harmison is nowhere near his best.
"The one bright thing has been the emergence of (left-arm spinner) Monty Panesar.
"Panesar is a genuine, attacking, wicket-taking bowler.
"The coach (Duncan Fletcher) still has some concerns about him because he cannot bat and he's not a very good fielder.
"He's going to get heaps of stick over in Australia, a la (Phil) Tufnell, for his fielding.
"But he is an exciting bowler."
