Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne feels England is the favourite for the Ashes series this summer.
"England will have to be... I suppose, they beat us last time," Warne said when asked to name the front-runner for Ashes after leading Hampshire to promotion in the one-day Pro40 league with victory in the division two play-off against Glamorgan.
"(But) Coming to Australia is never easy," he was quoted as saying by Australian Association Press.
England won the Ashes 2-1 at home last year, but has named an injury-hit squad for its defence starting in November.
Warne said he hoped for an interesting series like it was last time around albeit with a different result.
"It's an enjoyable tour, it can be tough, all parts of your game get tested - your patience off the field as well. Our crowds are pretty passionate and pretty vocal as well.
"It's going to be a wonderful series. The spirit in which it was played last year was what really captured everyone's imagination.
"It's great cricket, the spirit, the sportsmanship, all those things, I'm sure it will be exactly the same this summer in Australia and whoever is the best side will win, obviously.
"Let's hope it's the same but a different result this year," said Warne.
{{/usCountry}}"Let's hope it's the same but a different result this year," said Warne.
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