LONDON - England captain Nasser Hussain insists his side is not fearful of taking on world champion Australia later this year despite its appalling record in recent Ashes contests.

"This is the most positive England side I've captained," said Hussain today after a last day washout ensured a drawn fourth Test against India at The Oval and a series squared at one apiece.

England has not beaten Australia since 1986-87 and tomorrow will announce the touring party which it hopes will end that losing sequence.

"Australia are the world champions. They are the best side in the world. They hammered South Africa and they've hammered everyone else," Hussain admitted.

"But England are a good side so why not go there [Australia] with confidence?"

However, throughout its home series against both Sri Lanka and India, England was plagued by injuries to its fast bowlers.

Spearhead Darren Gough did not play in any of the seven Tests and fellow quicks Andrew Caddick, Alex Tudor, Stephen Harmison and Simon Jones, as well as all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, were all sidelined at various times through injury.

"We've got to get our bowling attack fit," said Hussain. "And it's not just a case of getting them fit. Gough, for example, has hardly played any cricket."

His comments were endorsed by India skipper Sourav Ganguly, whose side beat Australia back on home soil 18 months ago. "England do have a chance but its fast bowlers have to be fit for five Tests.

"Darren Gough's fitness is very important," Ganguly added.

Hussain said he was due to have one last meeting with coach Duncan Fletcher and chairman of selectors David Graveney about the composition of the party.

"I don't know how many we will take. We've just got a list of names at the moment.

"It's not like a tour of the West Indies where you take 16 and that's it. Our Academy [primarily designed to bring on future Test players] will be in Australia and it's up to the management how they want to utilise that."

Earlier today, Graveney said England's fitness worries could lead to an unusual team announcement at Lord's.

"Probably for the first time, the team will be announced subject to fitness," Graveney explained.

"Andy Flintoff has had a [groin] operation - he'll be in the team - but somebody like Simon Jones may or may not be in the team."

Another major concern for England is the mental well-being of key middle-order batsman Graham Thorpe.

After England's 170 run first Test win at Lord's in July, Surrey left-hander Thorpe took an indefinite absence from all cricket.

That was due to problems in his private life caused by the break-up of his marriage and arguments over access arrangements to his two young children.

But Thorpe recently said he was ready to face the Australians and has put his case for inclusion to the England management.

"Graham has had a very, very difficult time. I was impressed with the way he talked, but again, it's for all four of us [Hussain, Fletcher, Graveney and Thorpe] to decide," Graveney explained.

But before England goes to Australia in October, Hussain's men fly out on Thursday to Sri Lanka for the ICC Champions Trophy one-day tournament.

And the England skipper pleaded with his country's administrators to draw up a schedule that gave his side decent rest periods in between its international engagements.

"Some sides seem to have three months off: we've got two days. It's something I would urge the ECB [England and Wales Cricket Board] to look at."

© 2002 AAP/AFP

This report does not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Cricket Board.