Nasser Hussain insisted that England were not fearful of taking on Australia despite their appalling record in Ashes contests. "This is the most positive England side I've captained," Hussain said. "Australia are the world champions. They are the best side in the world. They hammered South Africa and they've hammered everyone else. But England are a good side so why not go there with confidence?"

He admitted that one of the biggest worries remains the fitness of the bowlers. Darren Gough has missed the entire summer, while Andrew Caddick, Andy Caddick, Craig White, Steve Harmison, Simon Jones and Dominic Cork have at various times been sidelined. "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."

Hussain said he was due to have one last meeting with Duncan Fletcher and 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 will be in Australia and it's up to the management how they want to utilise that."

Graveney said England's fitness worries could lead to an unusual team announcement. "Probably for the first time, the team will be announced subject to fitness," Graveney explained. "Flintoff has had an 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 Graham Thorpe. Even though he recently said he wanted to be a part of the tour, the fact that he hasn't played since July may count against him. "Graham has had a very, very difficult time. I was impressed with the way he talked, but again, it's us to decide," Graveney explained.

Hussain did call on the administrators to gave his side decent rest periods in between their international engagements. England fly out to Colombo tomorrow for the ICC Champions Trophy. "Some sides seem to have three months off: we've got two days," he said "It's something I would urge the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)to look at."

Hussain also called on the ECB to extend the contract of Fletcher which is due to expire in September 2003. "I hope the ECB extend Duncan Fletcher's contract. He's the singular reason we are playing well and have been successful," said Hussain. "He's the finest coach I've ever played under."

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