Warne tips England to be even stronger than last

SYDNEY, Nov 8 (Reuters) Shane Warne says England have an even better team than the one that upset Australia to win the Ashes last year.

England are without captain Michael Vaughan and pace bowler Simon Jones but Warne claims they could be even stronger because of the versatility of Monty Panesar and Chris Read.

Neither player is certain of playing in the series with Panesar vying with Ashley Giles for the spinner's role and Read battling with Geraint Jones for the wicketkeeping gloves.

But Warne, speaking to reporters at today's official Ashes launch in Sydney, says England would be better off going with Panesar and Read.

''I think the two key areas... are the wicketkeeping department and the spin bowling department,'' he said.

''I think with Chris Read, the way he keeps, he's obviously the best 'keeper. I think everyone thinks and realises he's the best 'keeper in England.

''And Monty Panesar is a match-winning spinner, which he's done this (English) summer and shown how far he can spin the ball.

''He's an attacking spinner who can win you games and in Australian conditions with bounce and the spin towards the end, and just the pace of the ball and how many wickets are dismissed behind the wicket.

''That's two very key areas and I think they've strengthened that. So I believe they're probably stronger.'' If Panesar is picked ahead of Giles, England's tail looks long and suspect as the latter is far handier with bat in hand.

Warne, who needs just 15 more wickets to take his career test tally to 700, said England's leading players Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen would also be even more dangerous than last year because of the extra experience.

''Guys like Pietersen have played more cricket so they understand the game, rather than coming to us fresh on debut,'' Warne said.

''Andrew Flintoff's had a rest which I think is crucial to him. Everybody's talking about his workload and easing it off so what better than having a rest? ''So I actually think England are a lot stronger coming to Australia. They'll be hard work to beat.'' REUTERS AY RN1851