Australia's leg-spinner Shane Warne believes Australia are facing their toughest challenge in England for years in this summer's eagerly-awaited Ashes series.

Shane Warne - another tour Photo AFP

Warne, who will be making his third Ashes tour, has been a bogeyman for England ever since his "ball of the century" dismissed Mike Gatting at Old Trafford in 1993 to set in motion an extraordinary Test career.

England last retained the Ashes in Australia in 1987, but English cricket then went into decline, while Australia went on to become world champions.

But Warne believes Nasser Hussain's England side are firmly back in business, and after winning four series in a row should at last provide a real challenge to Australia.

"England are playing with a confidence they have not had in the past," Warne told BBC's Radio Five Live.

"In the past they have not seized their opportunities. The odd catch or run out that can turn Test matches has not gone their way.

"And when they've had us at 50 for four Steve Waugh would come in and get a hundred to turn it round, or Ian Healy would put on 70 to get us out of trouble.

Katich - one to watch Photo Paul McGregor

"But I think this is going to be the closest Ashes I've been involved in."

Warne's bowling form declined during the Australians' recent tour of India where their world record-breaking Test run came to an end, but after surviving calls for him to be left out of the touring squad, he is relishing the prospect of the coming series.

"I was disappointed with my form in the last Test, and particularly the last innings, but India in India is definitely the hardest to beat.

"But we're still very confident in our own ability and since it was the first Test we had lost in around 20 we reckon we're allowed the odd hiccup.

"But there's nothing like playing the old enemy in their own backyard and beating them - it should be nice."

Warne picked out left-hand bat Simon Katich, who performed well for Durham last season, and fast left-arm bowler Nathan Bracken as two to watch, but believes the "old guard" facing their final Ashes tour are prepared to give it their all.

"The Ashes is just fascinating. As a kid growing up in the 70s and 80s the mentality was: "We must beat England". We could lose to anybody else, but we had to beat England.

"It should be interesting. Nasser has added a spark and they are walking tall with chests out. It's looking good for English cricket, but we have the players and the tactics to nail them again like we have in the past."

© CricInfo Ltd.