31 October,2010 07:23 AM IST | | A Correspondent
England flew into Australia ahead of the upcoming Ashes series on Saturday, arriving quietly confident about ending a 24-year English drought on Australian soil, but expecting a tough battle.
Led by captain Andrew Strauss, they arrived in Perth, where they will play their opening three-day tour match against Western Australia, starting Friday at the WACA.
Strauss is aiming to become the first English captain to win the Ashes on Australian turf since 1986-87. He expects a spirited performance from the home team, but believes his team is in much better nick than when it suffered a hugely embarrassing 5-0 whitewash on its last visit to Australian shores in 2006-07.
Strauss has been buoyed by the blend of solidarity and depth in his squad, as well as the absence of some Australian greats who picked England apart four years ago.u00a0u00a0
Speaking shortly after stepping off the plane, a relaxed Strauss said his side was in good shape for the defence of the Ashes.
