SYDNEY, July 17: Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting says his team is determined to make amends for their “embarrassment” in last year's Ashes when they take on England this winter.

Aussies lost their grip on famous old urn for first time since 1987 when England won Tests 2-1.

“It's a huge series for team — to be first one to hand over the Ashes in 18 years was something players were embarrassed and ashamed about.

“England will face a better Australian team than they did last time,” he said.

Since their last meeting, Australia have gone from strength to strength — winning 11 of their 12 Tests.

England, on other hand, have been ravaged by injuries — skipper Michael Vaughan has been already ruled out — and won only two of their nine Tests.

Ponting is confident his side will see off whoever tourists line up with when five-match series begins in Brisbane on Nov 23.

“We've worked really hard on our games and performances - everything is heading in right direction and everything isn't smooth sailing for England.

“I'm confident we'll play well, we've brought our games on a long way since end of the Ashes. We know it will be a big challenge again and if they have a 90% fully-fit team they will be very competitive.

“But in our conditions, with our crowds, and with us being a better team now than we certainly were then, I'd like to think result will be bit different this time.”

Interest in sport surged because of last summer's England-Australia clashes, bringing huge television audiences in other cricket-playing countries too.—Agencies