Ex-England great Gladstone Small backs former side's 'strongest 11' to retain Ashes urn

Former England cricketer Gladstone Small has backed his former side to win the winter Ashes series at the home of their arch-enemy Australia, saying that England has the strongest team of eleven players.

Small laughed off Australian pace legend Shane Warne's criticism of England skipper Alastair Cook and his team of 'lacking imagination' and being 'boring' given that England has lost just once in their last 14 Tests, a year ago in India and has won seven of those games under Cook's leadership.

According to the Daily Star, although Warne suggested that if England went about their cricket in the same manner in the upcoming series, they would be defeated, Small advised the tourists not to be worried, saying Warne is talking a 'lot of bull'.

Small further said that the players would not be affected by the comments as they have the 'strongest eleven' and have a good record.

Small also said that the way Cook followed up those comments with a great innings of 150 against New South Wales (NSW) said a lot about his character.