Gilchrist urges Oz to exploit 'hole' in English top-order during winter Ashes

Former Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist has said Australia can exploit the fact that England has discovered a 'hole' in their top order and add it to their advantage of patching their own in terms of batting, during the winter Ashes series.

England head to the warm-up game in Hobart on Sunday knowing they still have plenty of work to do with bat and ball before locking horns with Michael Clarke's men at the Gabba in less than three weeks.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Australia is likely to view England's still vacant No.6 spot as one its opponent's weaknesses given that inexperienced Gary Ballance and Jonny Bairstow are the contenders for the spot.

Gilchrist said that the improving form of Australia's batsmen would ensure the return Ashes series will be more competitive than the battle in England, adding that the form quartet of George Bailey, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh and Cameron White are in contention for a spot in a first Test team.