The former Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh says the Ashes series in England will be a lot closer than many people are predicting.
Waugh believes England are rightly favourites to win at home but thinks the Australians could claim the return series Down Under in 2013/14.
And Waugh says he would not be surprised if Michael Clarke's men did manage to win on tour.
His comments came as former England captain Ian Botham said the Australians are in such disarray they could lose the back-to-back series and it's the worst Australian team he can remember.
Australia is coming off a 4-nil clean-sweep loss to India and the controversial suspension of four players for not completing a team assignment.
But Waugh says being the underdogs will allow the Australians to play with more freedom as expectations are so low.
