Neil Foster believes England’s key players must hit top form if they are to have any chance of reclaiming the Ashes.

The Colchester-born former international fast bowler regards Australia as firm favourites heading into today’s opening day of the series, at Cardiff.

Ex-Essex favourite Foster, who played in 29 Test matches for England, says the tourists will be in no mood to surrender the urn this summer.

And the former Philip Morant School pupil feels the likes of Alastair Cook and James Anderson will be crucial to the hosts’ chances of pulling off a series victory.

Foster, 53, whose final Test appearance came against Australia in 1993, said: “I don’t think England will win the Ashes back.

“I think an Australia victory is a more likely result - they hold the Ashes and to win one more Test than them and get one ahead of them won’t be easy.

“A drawn series would probably be a good outcome for England but we’ll have to play well to do that.

“We don’t know quite what to expect after the last time we played them but the signs of recovery have been encouraging for England.

“We know that England will have to play at their best throughout the whole series and our players who have been in good form will have to continue that.

“Our key players like Ian Bell, Stuart Broad and James Anderson need to maintain their form, because you rely on your senior players.

“James Anderson is England’s main man - he’s one of the best two or three bowlers in the world.

“When he’s on song, he’s a great bowler and he takes things in his stride.”

The much-anticipated opening Test Match of this summer’s Ashes series begins at 11am this morning, at the SWALEC Stadium.

England will be looking to avenge their 5-0 whitewash at the hands of Australia, 18 months ago.

“It’s important for both sides to get off to a good start,” added Foster, who claimed 88 Test wickets for England.

“If you can hit the ground running, it can make a big difference in a series like this.

“What happens early on can be influential.

“I remember Steve Harmison running up to the wicket and bowling a wide and that seemed to set the trend for the rest of that series.

“But Test cricket ebbs and flows and it’s a case of playing good cricket as much as you can.”