Darren Gough believes England's Test series victory over South Africa could be the launching pad for a stunning success Down Under this winter.

England attempt to recapture the Ashes on their tour of Australia and the Yorkshire paceman feels his team-mates will be spurred on by a new found confidence.

"It will definitely be our toughest test," he said. "Australia back themselves to beat anyone at home and the majority of their fans will give us no chance. We are up got it after our win over South Africa."

Chairman of selectors David Graveney agrees that the victory over South Africa - England's first Test series triumph in 12 years - is going to raise expectations for a nail-biting series.

"There's no doubt that having beaten South Africa, who are rated some distance above us in the rankings, will heighten the expectations for the Ashes series," he said.

"If we had lost, it probably wouldn't .that much, but it won't have depreciated it."

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