IT might look like the Aussies are in turmoil in the build-up to the Ashes - but England would be foolish to underestimate their opponents.

I suspect that is the last thing they would do under the astute leadership of Andrew Strauss and Andy Flower, but they will come unstuck if they do.

While everything seems to be going swimmingly for England, the hosts seem to be lurching from one problem to another.

They have won just once in eight attempts, there are rumours of dressing room unrest and a lack of confidence in the leadership abilities of Ricky Ponting and vice-captain Michael Clarke, and they may name a squad of 15 for the first Test because they have no idea of their best team.

Mr Cricket himself, Mike Hussey, and Marcus North are up for the chop, nobody seems to rate spinner Nathan Hauritz and there is not a single seamer in their set-up who is nailed on for a place in the team since their spearhead, Mitchell Johnson, has picked up his biennial dose of Ashes fever.

A betting man might seem foolish to wager his money on anything other than an England victory.

But there is something about the Aussie psyche that means they will fight tooth and nail to prevent Strauss and Co retaining the urn in their own back yard.

And while their reserves might not be as well stocked as they have previously been, our Commonwealth cousins have a handy knack of plucking players from somewhere in the Outback to star on the international stage.

The talent and mental strength within the England squad means they should be regarded as slight favourites for the forthcoming battle.

But they will realise that a wounded set of Aussies is a formidable beast in itself.