SYDNEY, Oct 24: England's Ashes side is stronger than the one that defeated Australia last year thanks to rising spinner Monty Panesar and wicket-keeper Chris Read, spin-king Shane Warne said on Tuesday.

After trying for 16 years to reclaim the coveted Ashes, England managed to score a surprise 2-1 series win last year.

However, ahead of the coming Ashes series, injuries have robbed the side of batsman Michael Vaughan and paceman Simon Jones, while all-rounder Andrew Flintoff and spinner Ashley Giles are short on match play.

Speaking at the launch of his book Shane Warne, My Illustrated Career, Warne said visiting teams to Australia needed their spinners and wicketkeepers to perform well and said he felt England was stronger now because it had beefed up in both areas.

“They've got Monty Panesar, who I believe is the best spinner in England,” he said.

He also praised England's choice of wicketkeeper for the upcoming Ashes tour.

“I think (Geraint) Jones has done OK for England, but Chris Read is the best keeper in England.”

However, Warne said Flintoff might find it tough resuming bowling after a lengthy layoff.

“I know in my surgery with my shoulders between 1998 and 2001 I struggled for a while to try and do the things I wanted to do, it was frustrating, I couldn't do what I wanted to do, so it can take a while,” he said.

Warne also defended Australia's ageing top-order batsmen ahead of the Ashes series, which begins next month.

Australian fast bowling legend Dennis Lillee said on Monday he feared the age of Australia's top order batsmen would expose the home side.

“The age only comes into it if you are not performing,” said 37-year-old Warne.

Lillee noted that opener Justin Langer would be 36 when the series begins at the Gabba on Nov 23, while Matthew Hayden, Damien Martyn and Adam Gilchrist will all be 35.

Warne also sprang to the defence of Australian bowling ace Glenn McGrath, whose form had been questioned by former Australian players Geoff Lawson and Ian Chappell.

“I wouldn't be writing Glenn McGrath off, he's a champion and I think Australia need Glenn McGrath. I think with him, he just needs a bit of bowling.”

McGrath is Test cricket's all-time leading wicket-taking fast bowler with 542 wickets in 119 Tests.

Warne attributed Australia's outstanding Test form since the Ashes series loss to a more ruthless attitude.—AFP