espnstar.com’s Rajarshi Gupta spoke to Ajit Wadekar, who refused to agree with Jeff Thompson's controversial statement on Ricky Ponting's captaincy.

Former Australian speedster Thompson, hit out at the present Aussie skipper, saying he was "crap" as captain.

"I don't agree with Thompson at all. Ponting has won a lot of Tests for Australia and he has been leading from the front too. What more can you ask from a captain? Captaincy comes pretty naturally to him."

Wadekar will remember England for one of the most glorious triumphs he ever led his team to back in 1971 and the former left-handed batsman did shed a thought on the Ashes that kick off from today.

Aussies lack confidence

"England are getting stronger and they have always done better on at home. The Australians are not as confident as they used to be.

"Tell me, where is the vocal war of words that the Aussies indulge in before every series?"

True. The Australians have been extremely gentile, having spent a few weeks in England and they do not have much to talk about either. A first round exit from the ICC World Twenty20 was enough to get the English media up and running and two tough work outs against Sussex and England Lions later, the men from Down Under would be wary.

Wadekar, however thinks it is a process of re-building for Australia.

"Look, it has happened to them before when Allan Border was captain. Now, their opening combination is not that experienced. But I will still back Australia to regain the Ashes, maybe not by a 5-0 margin, as Glenn McGrath suggested," the former India manager said, laughing.

So what is it about the Aussies that give them an upper hand despite no Brett Lee (for the first two Tests), a captain in poor form, and no legends to boast off?

"I just think the Australians are more determined and when it is a question of the Ashes, they will not give an inch," Wadekar said.

One of India's most respected captains and perhaps one of the most ardent thinkers of the game in the country, Wadekar refused to read too much into the conditions.

Conditions don't matter

"The conditions will be same for both teams and though England have the home advantage, it all boils down to who reads the pitch better and of course who wins the toss."

But what was the point in hosting the first Test in the Ashes in a new venue like Cardiff? Are England up to some kind of psychological game here?

"England just wanted a new venue. Other venues like the Oval and Lord's have been overplayed what with so many ODI's and Twenty20's."

Dravid inclusion was wise

Meanwhile, Wadekar reckoned it was wise of the Indian selectors to include Rahul Dravid in the probable squad for the ICC Champions Trophy.

"They (the selectors) must have found the middle order cracking and Dravid, who was neglected from the shorter version of the game for nearly two years now, was an immediate choice."

While India are getting excited about the possibility of ravid donning the blues again, all eyes will also be on the Ashes. This series will define the way for India and South Africa to gauge Australia and make a rush for an upward surge.