Aussie quicks to decide Ashes: Harmison

Former England spearhead Steve Harmison fears Australia have the fast bowling battery to produce another Ashes whitewash later this year.

England have been beaten 5-0 in two of their last three Ashes tours with Harmison part of the side that meekly surrendered the urn in 2006.

In 2013-14 Alastair Cook's side suffered a similar fate when their batsmen struggled terribly against the pace of Mitchell Johnson, who finished the series with 37 wickets.

Quick single: The 'animal' ready to transform Test XI

Although Johnson and fellow England slayer Ryan Harris have now retired, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and James Pattinson ensure there is still great depth in Australia's fast bowling department.

The quartet have never been fit to play in the same team, but Harmison believes if they manage to make it onto the field together at the Gabba for the first Test in November, the visitors will be quaking in their boots.

"I was really impressed with how Australia played against India," Harmison told BBC Five Live.

"They didn't give them any respite. They won the first Test and were in the majority of the others.

"In the Australian line-up they move the ball through the air very, very quickly and it caused the Indian batsman a lot of problems."

England were beaten 4-0 in India late last year after failing to get on top of skipper Virat Kohli, who went on to average 109.16 in the five-match series.

Quick single: Wisden releases its cricketers of the year

That was in stark contrast to his performances against Australia where he struggled, averaging a paltry 9.20 before missing the fourth and final Test due to injury.

"That was down to the Aussie bowling line-up for me," said Harmison.

"England have perhaps got one, maybe two in (Mark) Wood and (Steve) Finn who are different to the norm which is electric pace through the air, whereas as Australia have a good bunch in Hazlewood, Starc and Pat Cummins.

"I was so impressed by Cummins. If they can get them fit and ready for November when England get there I think their batsman will be a bit fearful. In the past they've struggled when Mitchell Johnson hit his straps.

"If England don't go in with Finn or Wood then the bowling is too much of a similar pace.

"On good pitches with a Kookaburra ball, as it showed last time, we were a bit toothless.

"That could be the difference and it could really hurt England."

Ashes ticket sales key dates

April 23: Cut-off date to join the ACF

May 1: Tickets on sale to ACF Gold members

May 3: Tickets on sale to all ACF members

May 8: Tickets on sale to the general public

Click here to join the Australian Cricket Family. FAQs about the ACF can be found here

2017-18 International Fixtures:

Men's Ashes Series

First Test Gabba, November 23-27

Second Test Adelaide Oval, December 2-6 (Day-Night)

Third Test Perth TBC, December 14-18

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test)

ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14

Second ODI Gabba, January 19

Third ODI SCG, January 21

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26

Fifth ODI Perth TBC, January 28

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2

T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 14

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21