November 06 Wednesday 2002
'England yet to show their form in Australia'

BRISBANE: Just days from the opening test in the Ashes campaign, England cricket captain Nasser Hussein said Tuesday his team has not yet shown its best form on its tour of Australia.

Hussain acknowledged Australia deserved its position as favorite to win the five-Test series that begins Thursday at Brisbane's Gabba ground.

England has not won an Ashes series in 16 years and has been unconvincing since arriving in Australia last month. 

Australia is bidding for an eighth consecutive Ashes series win, going into this series on the back of a convincing 4-1 series win in England last year. But Hussain insisted his young team is capable of beating Australia.

"Australia hasn't seen the best of the England cricket team for a long while," Hussain said. "If we had won every (warm-up) game it wouldn't have meant anything going into Thursday."

Hussain defended the original tour selections even though all-rounder Andrew Flintoff and fast bowler Darren Gough have been forced to seek treatment for existing injuries. Flintoff has rejoined the squad and played against Queensland and Hussain said his fitness will be the main selection issue during the next two days. Gough definitely will miss the first Test.