CHELMSFORD, England - Fiercely determined England cricket captain Nasser Hussain has broken his silence ahead of the Ashes series by claiming he does not care about the result.

Less than a week before the first Test at Edgbaston, a television advertisement featuring Australian skipper Steve Waugh asking Hussain,

"Hey mate, how do you spell annihilate?" sums up the justifiably pessimistic mood of English supporters.

Five players - Graham Thorpe (calf), Michael Vaughan (burst cyst), Craig White (back), Andy Caddick (finger) and Ashley Giles (Achilles) - are hampered by injury while the Australians are at the peak of their powers with a fully fit squad.

Hussain left his win-at-all-costs reputation behind by declaring during Australia's tour match against Essex that the Ashes scoreline was not a concern.

"I'm not really interested in results against Australia," he said.

"That might sound perverse and people just reading that one line will find it really odd.

"All I ask is that we stick together and give it everything ... I want to look in everybody's eyes each day and know they've given everything.

"Australia are a fine side and if we start worrying about them we'll go around in circles.

"They are unique, strong in every department and very tough ... we must learn from them this summer."

The first Test starts at Birmingham, on Thursday.

Hussain's wish to downplay England's chances is understandable because he wants his team, despite winning four of its last five series and drawing the other, to remain the underdog.

But there is no doubt such a tough, ambitious leader has victory on his mind.

The crowd at Lord's swayed and sang "The Ashes are coming home" after a Test triumph against Pakistan last month but Australia's merciless run through the tri-series one-day tournament and tour matches has shocked the English cricketing fraternity.

They knew Australia was good, but not this good.

Waugh, who missed the Essex match to visit EuroDisney in Paris with his wife Lynette and two young children, can become the first player to win seven Ashes series in what is probably his last tour.

"I'd rather see us win, put it that way," he said.

"But people generally want a good, close Ashes contest.

"I think it's great for the game - I can still handle a good contest if we win five very close Ashes contests."

The Australian XI will be announced early in the week.

The only doubt is whether left-handed No.3 batsman Justin Langer will lose his place to fellow West Australian Damien Martyn.

The team will be: Steve Waugh (c), Adam Gilchrist (vc), Matthew Hayden, Michael Slater, Justin Langer or Damien Martyn, Mark Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie, Glenn McGrath.

© 2001 AAP