We must improve before we can take on Australia, says Hussain

England have many improvements to make before they can start thinking about beating Australia, skipper Nasser Hussain has warned.

And he reminded England supporters, on a crest of wave following victories over Pakistan, West Indies and Zimbabwe, that two difficult series lay ahead before next summer's Ashes confrontation.

England face a difficult trip to Sri Lanka in the new year and will entertain a Pakistan side bent on revenge before Australia arrive.

"If we think the last few Tests have been prepared for spin bowling, I think the next three are going to be twice as difficult," he said on BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek programme.

"Speaking to Keith Fletcher, he said it was the most difficult tour he ever did as England manager, the tour to Sri Lanka, and I think it will be for us. It will probably be more difficult than Pakistan.

"We've got Pakistan at home and they'll want to come back at us, and then a side called Australia, who will probably have won about 18 on the bounce by then.

"The main headline since coming back is 'Now bring on Australia'. I just think that's getting a little bit giddy.

"Yes, we've played well, and yes, that's our ultimate goal. This side in particular wants to have a dash at Australia, but we've got to do a lot of things before we start competing with Australia.

"We've got a lot of improvements to make in various areas before we start beating sides like Australia on a regular basis."

Much of England's recent success has been attributed to coach Duncan Fletcher. Hussain agrees that Fletcher deserves his share of the plaudits but points out that it is the men in the middle who have delivered the goods.

"Obviously he's [Fletcher] got a lot to do with it," he said. "He's one of the finest coaches and finest people, and if you've got a good man in charge of you, it makes a hell of a difference.

"But I think a lot has been said about Duncan and myself and...what we've done, but I think the bottom line is the players.

"I think the players should be getting all the credit; Michael Atherton, if you look at his batting since the Oval, Alec Stewart in the summer, (Darren) Gough, (Andy) Caddick, Craig White, Ashley Giles, the energies of Graham Thorpe since his break and the way he's come back in.

"If you get those sort of things and combine them with good captaincy and good coaching, then you're going to be stepping in the right direction.

"But that's all it is, it's a step in the right direction. It's a cycle. If you keep winning and keep having a little taste of success, then you want a little bit more."

Hussain was also pleased with two of the newer members of the squad. "The way Marcus [Trescothick] and Michael Vaughan have come into Test cricket, the energy they have shown, lifts us old 'uns up a little bit."

Asked about match fixing and the possibility that players might face lie detector tests and phone tapping, the England captain said he was unconcerned about the prospect.

"I am not fussed either way. I am happy to do whatever the board [the ECB] asks us to do. I have nothing to hide.

"We are filling in forms as we speak for the ICC on the subject of match fixing and anything that gets match fixing out of the game I am quite happy with. It is an area that needs clearing up."