ENGLAND have been backed to regain the Ashes this summer, by a man who knows exactly what it takes.

Somerset captain, Marcus Trescothick, an Ashes winner in 2005, believes England have what it takes to see off a rampant Australia side – but said it’s going to be ‘very tough’.

He said: “We’re all really excited to watch it and it seems to have been a long time coming around. “England have picked up form recently and they played some good cricket against New Zealand. “The one day stuff in particular was really exciting. “Hopefully England can play in that same fashion against Australia.

“When you look at the teams on paper you might say that Australia have the edge, but hopefully England can take the momentum that they have built up recently into this series. “There’s a new air of optimism about English cricket at the moment and I think it will be a lot closer than a lot of people think.

“I really hope that England play an aggressive brand of cricket. “”I hope they go out there, back themselves, score runs quickly and bowl fast from ball one of day one. “If that means attacking Mitchell Johnson and putting him off his game, then so be it. “The mindset is really important - they have to have a positive mindset.”

“For England Joe Root will be one to watch – and as we all know, Jos Buttler also has the potential to make the headlines and so does Ben Stokes.

“Those are the three key players for me but obviously Alastair Cook needs to do well at the top of the order. “For Australia, Steve Smith has been a massive run scorer over the last year or so, but losing Ryan Harris is a big blow for them - he is a major catalyst for them.”

“Can England regain the Ashes? “I really hope so - it’s going to be very tough, but hopefully everything can come together and everything can click at the right time.”

The first Ashes test gets under way tomorrow at Cardiff – 11am start.