England can regain the Ashes: Botham

Legendary allrounder Sir Ian Botham says England's dramatic turnaround against India has laid the platform for them to regain the Ashes next year.

England were on the ropes less than a month ago following their humiliating loss at Lord's, with Botham one of several former Test captains to call on Alastair Cook to step down.

But Cook's side rolled India in the final three Tests of the series to win 3-1, and Botham said he saw enough to convince him that England can regain the urn next year.

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"The turnaround from Lord's has been stunning, and has shown that England have enough talent to mount a serious challenge over the next 12 months," Botham wrote in The Mirror.

"They need to keep winning and head into the Ashes with real confidence.

"There is a seven-month gap between Test matches which feels like a lot but, trust me, next summer will roll around quickly and England must be ready for that acid test.

"They were found wanting by Australia last winter, but it has galvanised them into turning things around and building from the bottom again."

England's turnaround against India was built on their domination with the ball, led by new-ball pair Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad and well supported by Test rookies Moeen Ali and Chris Jordan.

Anderson's four-wicket haul in the fifth Test took him to within three wickets of Botham's England Test record of 383, and Beefy says the 32-year-old is the key to England's success against Australia next year.

"As long as they’ve got Jimmy Anderson leading the attack they will always be in with a shout," Botham wrote.

"Jimmy is such a master of his craft. He is an exceptional talent who has set the standard for others to follow and he will have the Aussies in his sights next year. He looks fit and strong and has bowled magnificently.

"He wants to be involved in the one-dayers and try to win the World Cup. After that he wants to win the Ashes back and who would bet against him?"

England won't play Test cricket again until after the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, when they travel to the West Indies for a three-match series.

They will then host New Zealand for two Tests before the first Ashes Test begins in Cardiff on July 8.

Botham also slammed India for their lame submission in the final three Tests against England, labelling them "truly awful".

India will remain in the UK for another three weeks for a five-match One-Day International series and a T20 international against England.