England have problems going into Ashes defence - McGrath

SYDNEY, Nov 5 (Reuters) Australia fast bowler Glenn McGrath is feeling extremely confident about his team's chances of regaining the Ashes.

McGrath believes the England side which arrived in Australia today is weaker than the one which won back the Ashes trophy last year for the first time since 1989, while the hosts are looking stronger.

''England is a vastly different team heading into the Ashes series to the one that beat us last year,'' McGrath told the Sunday Telegraph newspaper.

''Going into last year's series on home soil, England had virtually the same team for 18 months and had built up a lot of momentum and confidence.

''It took that into the series and managed to reclaim the Ashes but a lot has changed in 15 months so much so that if the English aren't on their game come the start of the first test, we will hammer them.'' England have under three weeks to prepare for the first test in Brisbane starting on November 23.

''England has experienced injuries to key players, while some guys have struggled for form,'' McGrath said. ''We have put in plenty of hard work, won 11 of 12 tests, and built plenty of momentum towards regaining the Ashes.

''We are ready to play well from day one and I'm not sure you can say the same about England.

McGrath missed two tests in the last Ashes series after suffering an ankle injury.

''Personally, it might be a bit much to say I owe Australia the Ashes because I missed two tests but that's how I'm sort of feeling,'' he said.

McGrath believes there are doubts over England captain Andrew Flintoff and fast bowler Steve Harmison.

''Freddy is simply a class player but the question marks are whether he can handle the captaincy along with being the main strike bowler and key batsman in the middle order,'' McGrath said.

''Harmison is a quality bowler whose big asset will be the bounce and pace on our wickets but he struggled here last time and that will be on his mind,'' he added.

''Mentally, it will also be a big test for him because he is the sort of guy who gets quite homesick.'' REUTERS PDS HT1257