Former Australian Prime Minister John Howard believes England do not have a menacing enough bowling attack to win back the Ashes.

England claimed just six wickets in the drawn first Test at Cardiff as four of the Australia top order scored hundreds in a first-innings total of 674 for six, including a sublime 150 from man-of-the-match Ricky Ponting.

England scraped a draw at Sofia Gardens with a determined rearguard action, led by 74 from Paul Collingwood and finished off by tail-enders Jimmy Anderson and Monty Panesar.

Howard said: "I just don't think England have a strong enough attack to get Australia out twice and that is the problem they have got.

"The Australian batting line-up is very good and you wouldn't get a more flawless innings that Ricky Ponting's.

"They only got six wickets - we got 19. I just don't think England's attack is menacing enough."

KP ego came into play

Howard, a self-confessed "cricket tragic" was impressed by Collingwood's 245-ball innings and felt a number of England's other senior batsmen could learn a thing or two from his defiant stand.

"I am disappointed we didn't get you out. I thought after Stuart Broad was dismissed it was just a matter of time but full marks to Collingwood," said Howard.

"He is a dogged player. He had an application that some of his team-mates could well emulate.

"England have a shorter tail this time. You have got people, as they demonstrated yesterday, who can get runs right down the line. It was actually the top order that let England down yesterday."

Howard preferred not to offer a view on whether Kevin Pietersen's first-innings dismissal would have gone down well in the Australian changing room.

But he waxed lyrical on the strengths of the new-look Australian top order and Ponting's masterful performance at Sofia Gardens.

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"I thought Ricky Ponting's innings was fantastic, it was copy-book," said Howard.

"He is by far the greatest batsman in the world now and it is hard to find an Australian batsman since (Don) Bradman who you could put ahead of him.

"I think Australia will retain the Ashes. I don't say that arrogantly. I like to see a good fight but I think Australia has more depth in her batting than England.

"The two bowling attacks are roughly the same. That being the case I think Australia will win."

Howard enjoyed the Cardiff Ashes experience and is looking forward to the second Test at Lord's, which starts on Thursday.

The last time England won an Ashes Test at the home of cricket was in 1934.

"It is a happy hunting-ground, we haven't lost there for more than 70 years and so I hope that luck continues," Howard added.