England batsman Paul Collingwood has shrugged off Shane Warne's prediction of an Australia whitewash in next summer's Ashes and insists the tourists could be in for a shock.

Collingwood helped England win back the Ashes in 2005, coming into the team for the fifth Test, before being part of the side who meekly surrendered them Down Under in the 2006-07 series.

But he said: "We believe we're certainly pulling in the right direction - if we can get everybody fit and raring to go and playing well, when the Ashes come around we're going to be a very, very hard team to beat."

Australia won the last series 5-0 and Warne this week suggested a repeat could be on the cards in England, but Collingwood does not agree with the leg-spin legend.

With Kevin Pietersen now captaining the side, after Michael Vaughan stood down from the job, England are in the early stages of a new era.

If Pietersen can maintain his magnificent batting form, and the rest of the team respond to their new leader, England could have a prosperous winter.

Collingwood added: "When we're on song we can beat anybody - it's just getting that consistency.

"We had a great end to the season; it gave everybody a buzz.

"It was a big lift there and if you've got the likes of Steve Harmison and Andrew Flintoff fit and the way they are, we're going to be a very hard team to beat.

"It's really exciting times for us and we're looking forward to the challenges ahead."