Somerset paceman Andrew Caddick believes the Ashes will go to the team that 'has got the bottle to take the game to the next level'.

But the former England man is reluctant to pick a winner in what is sure to be a tightly-contested series.

Praise from Somerset CCC's Caddick is hard-earned. In recent years he has been critical of England's young bowlers for not bowling enough and not canvassing the opinion of veterans like himself.

So when he admits that Stuart Broad and James Anderson could be a key new-ball pairing, you know they have stepped up a level.

"They are a potential Ashes-winning attack, but we are lacking that third and fourth seamer," he said. "If (Andrew) Flintoff remains fit then you have a bonus there.

"Anderson and Broad are getting there and hopefully in the short-term they have started to realise it is not when you bowl, but how you bowl and the amount of overs you bowl. Anderson is slowly learning his game, Broad has still got a lot to learn, but has had a good start.

"It is going to be a true test this summer though.

"Swing will be the key this summer, but it is going to be who has got the bottle to take the game to the next level and if England can do that they will be doing well.

"They have got some very good bowlers, but I don't think it is going to battle of the bowlers, I think it will be the battle of the batsmen."

None of the Australian batsmen have looked at home in the two tour games they have played, even though they have been given flat pitches to prepare on.

Much was made of the way young opening batsman Phil Hughes scored in an early- summer spell with Middlesex, but the difference between Division Two and international level was underlined by the way he was twice bounced out by Steve Harmison in last week's England Lions match.

The normally reliable Michael Clarke and Mike Hussey are short of runs too, while Simon Katich will open on surfaces he struggled to make runs on at number six when England were triumphant four years ago.

Somerset CCC's Caddick added: "The first Test at Cardiff will be an eye-opener. Hopefully the facilities and the wickets will be OK."