FORMER Oxfordshire seamer Jack Brooks believes England’s best chance of regaining the Ashes is to continue playing with the freedom they showed earlier this summer.

The hotly-anticipated series against Australia begins in Cardiff this morning and the tourists will start as favourites.

But England, whose squad includes four of Brooks’s Yorkshire teammates, discovered an attacking style from their clashes with New Zealand.

The Test matches finished 1-1, before an enthralling one day series was won by the hosts, 3-2.

And Brooks has urged England to stick with the game plan.

“You’ve got to play aggressively and front up to Australia and whatever they have got, come back harder,” he said.

“They’re a form side, but hopefully we can take the positives out of the one-day stuff into the Test arena.

“I’m hoping it’s going to be an exciting series, because cricket is gripping the nation again.”

Brooks says talk about the series has been a hot topic in the changing room, particularly as the county are coached by ex-Australia star Jason Gillespie.

The 31-year-old, who began at Tiddington, has another link to the series, having worked with Paul Farbrace at Yorkshire.

With head coach's Trevor Bayliss’s assistant earning praise for England’s performances after taking on the top role during the New Zealand games, Brooks recognised his influence.

He said: “I think the way cricket is going, especially with this young squad, you just need to tell them to express themselves, enjoy it and be brave – exactly what they did against New Zealand.

“Farbs promoted that when we were at Yorkshire – he wanted you to express yourself.

“He is a very good man manager and makes you feel a million dollars in the nets.”

While Adam Lyth, Joe Root and Gary Ballance are due to start today, there is uncertainty over the fourth member of the Yorkshire quartet – Adil Rashid.

 

Brooks is in no doubt the leg-spinner should make his debut.

He said: “I think he’s the best spinner in the country.

“If Alastair Cook backs him it wouldn’t surprise me to see him shine.”

He added: “They could go to Moeen Ali because he’s the man in possession and they may see him as someone who could tie an end up, but I think the Aussies will look to target him.”

Overall, Brooks is looking forward to an exciting series and backs England to finish up on top.

I’m desperate to play for England and if you’re going to play, you’ve got to believe they’re going to win.

“I just think the turnaround for the last few months has been fantastic to watch and you never bet against your own country.

“We’re not favourites, but we’re on home soil so I’m hoping if we don’t lose the first game we can sneak the series.”

JACK'S VIEW ON YORKSHIRE QUARTET...

JOE ROOT

He’s gone from strength to strength and is probably going to break all sorts of records.

Rooty is a dream for coaches because he’s always lapping up new ways of working his game out.

He’s always at the centre of practical jokes, but seems to get away with it.

ADAM LYTH

He’s a very classy batsman who can get big runs, but has come on leaps and bounds in the last couple of years.

He’s one of the nicest blokes you’ll ever meet and he’s the life and soul of the changing room, always joking.

GARY BALLANCE

A lot of people are saying he’s fighting for his place, which is ridiculous really – he’s probably the most mentally strong player I’ve played with.

The Aussies will look to target him because he’s been out of nick, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he makes a hundred early in the series.

ADIL RASHID

Rash realises now he’s an attacking bowler and doesn’t need to worry about going for runs.

He should just stick to trying to get wickets, which is what leg spinners are best at.