England captain Alastair Cook has insisted that his side are ready for a battle as they face Australia in The Ashes on Wednesday.
The tourists go into the series as favourites to make it three wins in a row over the Aussies, an achievement they have not earned since back in 1956.
However, Australia have shown signs of recovering over the past few weeks, and Cook is adamant that his team are prepared for a fight in Nottingham.
"Australia have fantastic players and it will be one heck of a battle," said Cook.
"Every Ashes series I have played in is always intense and that is what we have got to prepare ourselves for."
The first Test gets underway from Trent Bridge at 11am.
