Australia's Shane Warne believes the fact that Monty Panesar and Chris Read are in England's Ashes team has made them stronger.
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Warne said that with the extra bounce and spin in Australian pitches, the pair were specialists in key areas.
"Everyone realises Chris Read is the best keeper in England and Monty Panesar is a match-winning spinner," he told BBC Sport.
Their presence also increases the internal competition in the squad with Ashley Giles and Geraint Jones chasing spin and keeping places respectively.
"I suppose there's a big concern for them with their tail if they play Panesar and they've got Hoggard and Harmison down there.
"Ashley Giles can hold a bat and we've seen him at The Oval and at various times make some handy runs," Warne said.
Australia would be confident in its prospects going into the series as it has won 11 of its last 12 Tests and has also won its first Champions Trophy at the recent tournament in India.
"At the moment, England aren't playing as good as they would like, but at the end of the day it doesn't matter what's happened before.
"It's all about how they play through this series.
"They've got some match-winners there and I'm sure they'll be looking to entertain and play well," he said.
Warne was not prepared to comment on whether the series would be his last Ashes series. He said he enjoys playing under Ricky Ponting and he is enjoying playing for Australia at the moment.
"How long that will last, whether it's two years, three years, four years, who knows?" he said.
