LONDON - England and Australia play the first of a five-match one-day international (ODI) series at Lord's here on Friday but the tourists are already looking to their return trip for next year's Ashes.
Australia all-rounder Shane Watson has played in two Ashes Test series defeats and is desperate to emerge victorious. "After being involved in two Ashes losses now, it is a burning desire inside me to be a part of a successful Ashes series," Watson said.
"Any time you play against England you want success. It is the ultimate rivalry and the ultimate challenge for an Australian cricketer, to play against England and win. I haven't been a part of that in Test matches and now is a time to be able to put some things in place so we can have some success when we come back here during the Ashes."
Australia are the world's top-ranked ODI side but England come into this match on the back of six straight home series wins in the 50-over game and a run of six wins in as many completed matches. England's recent success has been built on their top-order batsman, with Ian Bell filling the gap as opener created by Kevin Pietersen's limited overs retirement by scoring a hundred against the West Indies at Southampton earlier this month.