Shane Warne has pulled apart the form of some of the Australian Test squad's biggest names while declaring "no one fears" a trip Down Under anymore ahead of this summer's Ashes series.
Speaking on Fox Cricket, the spin king voiced his concerns around Justin Langer's side a month out from an important Ashes defence on home soil.
While there have been questions asked of the health of England's side going into the summer series, Warne believes Australia aren't without their own problems.
"When you think back to Australia and think back to Ashes series in Australia, England have been very, very poor for a long time when they come to Australia. But I just look at the Australian side and there's a lot of gaps," he said.
"Our fast bowlers, Pat Cummins looks short of a gallop and we know he's going to come good because he's world-class. But Starc's nowhere, (Josh) Hazlewood's bowling well."
According to Warne, the issues start with Australia's top order, where injuries and form have given plenty for Langer and his staff to mull over.
It was confirmed big hopeful Will Pucovski was an unlikely starter for the first Test in Brisbane as he battles another concussion setback, with Travis Head, Usman Khawaja and Marcus Harris putting their hand up to fill the void with some strong showings in the Sheffield Shield.
Barring Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, who have proven monstrous on the Test stage, the form of David Warner and Australia's middle order, and in particularly captain Tim Paine's tactical nous, are other areas that worry Warne.
"We've got (David) Warner not making a run. Who's he going to open with?" Warne added.
"(Marnus) Labuschagne and (Steve) Smith at three and four, but who's going to bat (at) five? (Cameron) Green is still a young player that looks pretty good.
"Paine, he's had a shocker the last couple of years as captain, tactically he's been very poor, (he's) lost the last two series and can't make a run.
"Our side's not as great... this 'almighty Australia'."
Warne went on to declare Australia's lost series against India last summer, which included a rare loss at the Gabba, where previously they hadn't tasted defeat since 1988, highlighted a trip Down Under wasn't the daunting proposition it once was for a touring side.
"No one fears Australia anymore. Coming to Australia, everyone used to go 'oh we're going to have to be at our best to even compete'. Now they just believe they can beat Australia – every side," he said.
While England are undoubtedly facing their own unique and arguably bigger problems - the health of star man Ben Stokes, for example - Warne senses an upset isn't out of the question.
“I look at England and I think their batting looks really weak. But Ben Stokes, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, (Jos) Buttler has this form and suddenly they’re looking pretty good,” the former ODI captain said.
“Their bowlers, (Jimmy) Anderson and (Stuart) Broad haven’t done that well here in Australia, but they’ll bowl well enough. It’s who’s going to be with them … What spinner? Jack Leach with the old Kookaburra ball?
“You’d say Australia are favourites, but given their recent form in the last few years here in Australia – we were been beaten by India’s C-team last year and we were really poor tactically – I think it’s going to be very, very close. I think it’ll be a good Ashes series.”
The first Ashes Test commences on December 8th in Brisbane before it heads to Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and then Perth.
