Watson sends out Ashes warnings

Shane Watson believes Stuart Broad is the biggest fast-bowling threat during the Ashes but expects James Anderson and Steven Finn to struggle in Australian conditions. While the three men starred during the 3-1 home win over Pakistan, Watson has told them it will be a different game Down Under.

Watson, who has grown into one of Australia's key men, said Broad had the skills to adapt to the harder, flatter surfaces during the five Tests, but he is not convinced by the credentials of the other two members of England's first-choice attack. When asked by ESPNcricinfo if he thought Anderson and Finn would struggle he said: "I do. It's obviously a very challenging place to come out and play and it's very different to England with the way the ball swings all day.

"That's why Jimmy Anderson is so skilful when the ball is swinging. When the ball is not swinging it makes it easier to bat." Watson is looking forward to the period when the Kookaburra loses its shine and there is less risk in driving through the off-side.

When Anderson was in Australia four years ago he took five wickets at 82.6 while Finn, the 21-year-old, will be on Ashes debut. "There's no doubt it's a really big challenge for Anderson," Watson said. "There's no doubt he'll have some mental scars from the last series he played out here. But he'll be trying to find a way to be more successful."

Watson also offered a warning for Finn, who has stormed to 32 wickets in his first eight Tests. "It's something very new to him," he said. "The ball won't be moving around here anywhere as near as much as it did in England, so it's going to be a really big challenge."

The home side has won the Ashes in the past four series and Watson is convinced Australia will be more comfortable than they were in 2009. "It is different to England, no doubt about that," he said. "It's going to take the English quite a while to be able to adapt and find ways of being successful over here, that's our big advantage."

Watson has excelled at Test level since returning to the side during last year's Ashes defeat, so his opinions are gaining weight. He is unsure whether England's seamers will focus on a fuller length in the hope of achieving any available swing, or operate more in line with the Australian method of bowling shorter and pushing the batsmen back.

He felt Broad was the only England fast man who could fulfil both roles. "Stuart Broad is a very skilful bowler," he said. "He will be their main man out here. He's got the skills to adapt to different conditions, and got the height to make the most out of his bounce. I really think he's going to be their main man. If we're able to negate him that will be a big plus."

England arrived in Perth on Saturday afternoon ahead of three first-class tour matches. Their opening game is against Western Australia from Friday while they also face South Australia and Australia A before heading to the Gabba for November 25.