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Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan announces his retirement, at Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham, England - Source: Reuters
England have their best chance of winning the Ashes in Australia later this year since their 1987 series victory, former captain Michael Vaughan said on Thursday.
"It's probably the first time an England side will go Down Under for many years with a real good chance. We've never really competed Down Under since 1987," Vaughan told reporters.
England suffered a humiliating 5-0 whitewash in the last series in Australia after Vaughan had led the team to the Ashes in 2005 - their first since 1987.
"The England side has a good vibrancy about them and they have a good amount of confidence," he said.
However, Vaughan thought the return to form of Kevin Pietersen and the team's batting performance would be key to success in the series which starts in November.
"Maybe one area we'll probably have to work hard on and get right is our batting. Getting big first innings runs in Australia will be key," he added.
Vaughan, who played 82 tests for England, thought the five-day game was still key to the sport despite the rising popularity of Twenty20.
"Twenty20 has brought a new audience and a new vibe into the game of cricket and a lot of new people are playing the game because of Twenty20," he said.
"But test cricket is still clinical and it's still the game that all players feel they're most tested."
The five-Test Ashes series starts in Brisbane on November 25.
