'England can reclaim the Ashes' - Akram

Wasim Akram, the former Pakistan captain, has given the resurgent England team a fair chance of regaining the Ashes next July.

"This is the first time in eight years I can see a side which can compete on even terms with Australia," Akram said in an interview to BBC Online. "I tell you it is going to be one hell of an interesting series."

Akram, who played for Lancashire for ten years, reckoned that players like Andrew Flintoff, Steve Harmison and Andrew Strauss have transformed into mature players and made England a very competitive and dangerous outfit. England had a magnificent run in 2004, being the only side not to lose a Test in the year and winning 11 out of their 13 Tests.

Australia had a great run too, winning five Test series including a historic one in India, their first in 35 years. Akram said Australia were a first-rate side at absorbing pressure and were mentally very strong and added that England were getting there. "That is why the Ashes this time could go either way."

Akram disagreed with the argument that cricket had stagnated due to the complete dominance of the Australians and said that the Ashes rubber would provide a big boost to the sport. "Australia have set a benchmark for other teams and it will be an intriguing wait to see which side dethrones them."