Strauss declares England ready for action

Andrew Strauss' England are as ready as they will ever be for their date with destiny in the 2010/11 Ashes.

Strauss has one more team talk to deliver before England take the field at the Gabba in defence of the urn, and in the hope of overturning almost a quarter of a century of Ashes failure down under.

By universal agreement, their preparation - since arriving in Australia almost a month ago - could hardly have gone any better.

With two wins and much the better of a rain-affected draw from their three first-class matches, a settled first-choice team and no injuries, there appears to be barely a cloud on the horizon for the tourists.

"We're all just very keen to get amongst it now," said the England captain.

"It's been a big build-up and obviously very exciting, the prospect of representing your country in an Ashes series - and we're standing here on the edge of it."