Flintoff backs England to retain the Ashes

Andrew Flintoff is confident England will retain the Ashes in Australia this winter.

The Lancashire all-rounder has not played at any level since the concluding game of last summer's Ashes series, his final Test match before an injury-enforced retirement, and is currently on the comeback trail.

Talking about the current side, he said: "It seems that England in all forms of the game go on to the field expecting to win these days. They are playing with a lot of confidence. Everyone seems to know their role and their position within the team."

With both England and Australia playing Pakistan this summer, Flintoff believes we will have a better idea of how the two teams are progressing before the Ashes showdown begins in Brisbane on November 25.

But he added: "I expect us to win 3-1. I think we've got the team to do that over there."

England last won an Ashes series in Australia under captain Mike Gatting in 1986/7.