Former Australian skipper Steve Waugh feels that defeating England in the Ashes will be a difficult task for Australia.

Waugh believes some of Australia’s cricketing rivals have matched up to their level but maintains that they still boast a challenging team. However difficult the task may be, Waugh predicted that Australia should be victorious in the upcoming Ashes series.
 
"Right now it's an even-money call. The Aussies are slightly favourites because it's being played in Australia. They'll lift. They're up against a very good side. England has developed, they don't play with hesitation; there has been a significant shift in how they play," he told 'Sydney Morning Herald'.
 
"Have they adopted an Australian approach? That's always going to happen, the dominant team shapes the cricket of that era and the way it is played, just as the West Indies did," Waugh added.
 
"While I was in England, I caught up with the guys, I saw the last one-dayer in Lord's and they had warmed to the task. I think they were a bit cold in the first three games, maybe as a result of not having played many games during the lead-in. I think we're seeing in world cricket a levelling out of the teams. Australia needs to work hard to maintain its position because there are teams playing with a similar style and abilities," said Waugh.

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