Graham Thorpe : 'We need to play men rather then statistics' © Getty Images

Graham Thorpe, the England batsman, has urged his team not to be intimidated by Australia's reputation when the Ashes begin at Lord's on July 21. Thorpe, who has missed the last two Ashes series, came back to the Test arena in September 2003 against South Africa, and has been in good touch since then.

"I can visualise towards July and think what it's going to be like," Thorpe told AFP. "It will be a massive occasion and the lads have to relax and enjoy what is going on. If we play the men rather than statistics and figures it will be our best way of playing against them. We won't do well being tense and worrying about their record or who we are playing against. You have to have a certain amount of belief regardless."

England, who are currently the No.2 team in Tests, have been in terrific form in the last 12 months, having won their last four series. "Come what may it is important not to beat yourself up if you have a bad day. Being realistic we will have some bad days against Australia and you have to get out of bed the next day with a smile on your face and enjoy it."

Australia have dominated the Ashes since 1989, but a resurgent England side would be confident of a better performance this time around. Having missed the last two series, Thorpe was hopeful of playing this year's Ashes. "I would love to be fit because it would be great to have an opportunity to play against them with this England team," said Thorpe, who made a hundred on debut against Australia in 1993. "We have a lot of good performers and I know we are going to have to play as a team and to our highest potential against them.

"This summer I have not got a great deal to lose, it has been a pretty good journey in the past 18 months, probably the best period I have played for England."