Top order can fire England to Ashes triumph, says former captain Cook

LONDON: England have not won an Ashes Test match in Australia for nearly 15 years but their batting firepower could prove decisive in the series starting in Perth next month, according to former captain Alastair Cook.

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That 2010-11 series ended in a 3-1 England victory with Cook scoring 766 runs including three centuries, but since then it has been a tale of woe Down Under for England with Australia winning 5-0, 4-0 and 4-0.

There is a growing belief, however, that inspirational captain Ben Stokes can stop the rot against an Australia side described as the worst since 2010 by former England bowler Stuart Broad.

"We'd be naive to say Australia aren't favourites," the 40-year-old Cook told reporters on Tuesday at the Oval as TNT Sports launched its coverage plan for the five-Test series.