Chris Woakes: I dream of Ashes role
Chris Woakes today drew the Ashes battlelines and insists England can retain the urn – but warns Australia are not a spent force.
The Warwickshire all-rounder is eyeing a Test debut in time for back-to-back Ashes series.
England host Australia this summer before heading Down Under for the first successive Ashes series in 38 years. The tourists were blasted after a 4-0 winter series defeat in India which leaves England favourites to make it three straight wins.
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And only five of Australia's touring party have played an Ashes series in England, with influential ex-skipper Ricky Ponting having retired last year.
But Woakes, who is hoping to earn his first Test cap against New Zealand on Thursday at Lord's, insists Australia remain a danger.
"We're capable of doing it but to think of winning the away series before the first series at home would be silly," said the 24-year-old.
"To play in an Ashes series would be an incredible achievement. Everyone has talked a lot about Australia being in trouble with selection and the way they went to India but we know that's a tough place to tour with different conditions to here and Australia.
"They are still dangerous. The Aussies will always bring over a very strong team and raise their game for the Ashes – as hopefully England will.
"I believe we can retain the Ashes but it's going to be a very tough series.
"The rivalry is huge and back-to-back Tests haven't happened in a long while.
"Even though it's close and there's lot of cricket before then, with the New Zealand games and the ICC Champions Trophy, it's so exciting."
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