Newly confident England will try to land a damaging blow on tottering Australia by ending a 24-year losing streak at Brisbane's Gabba in the keenly awaited Ashes series opener starting Thursday.

England, who unusually arrive well-prepared and injury-free, have not won the Brisbane Test since Mike Gatting's team prevailed by seven wickets six tours ago -- on their way to the tourists' last Australian victory in 1986/87.