England have a "powerful" squad up their sleeves, especially the pacemen, who can cause Australia "problems" and comeback home with the Ashes, said former skipper Alastair Cook, looking forward to the next winter's tour.
Cook, who was integral to England's resounding success when they caught an Australian side under transition off-guard on the 2010-11 trip, believes Joe Root's men are certainly capable of regaining the urn.
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"England look like they've got a squad powerful enough to go and cause Australia some problems," Cook was quoted as saying by Sky Sports at an event.
"They've got options with the ball - two or three guys who can bowl 90mph. I think you need to have the option of that at certain times when the wicket gets flat with the Kookaburra ball."
"Then you've got a batting line-up who have started to score bigger runs over the last 12-18 months. They are the things you need in Australia. You need to go massive in your first innings to set up the game and you need a bit of power in your bowling to be able to change tactics."
"Maybe for the first time in a couple of tours down there, England have got those options. You just don't know but I think England are looking OK," added the batting great, putting his faith on Jofra Archer and Mark Wood.
An area of concern, however, will be around the life within bio-bubbles, which England players have had to endure since the start of the summer and will do during the Ashes tour too if the pandemic isn't over by then.
"If we are in exactly the same situation this time next year, there will be bubbles for The Ashes. It will change an Ashes experience from the one I know but unfortunately, I can't see a way around it," said Cook, identifying the potential mental fatigue as a crucial factor.
"It's needs must at this time, for safety and also, on a slightly more crude level, for the financial state of the game. The cricket boards need the money, they need cricket to be played to honour the TV rights and keep the wheels in motion."
England have tours to Asia and a return home series against the Indians lined-up in the coming months before they go about finalising their squad for the Ashes.
"I expect to see [England] players missing bits [this winter]. I reckon in every meeting the hierarchy has, they will be trying to get that balance right. It is really hard to plan because of injuries and maybe form as well but they will definitely be having those conversations," said Cook.
"If you are a young player making your way or a guy who is not the first name on the team sheet, you will probably be thinking, 'if I get this opportunity, how do I take it?' It's probably only the more established stars who will be thinking they can afford to take it off," he added.
