Watson and Smith confident of retaining the Ashes

Watson and Smith are currently playing for the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL

After suffering three successive Ashes defeats in England in 2005, 2009 and 2013, Australia are on course to retain the Ashes, according to Shane Watson and Steven Smith. The dynamic Aussie duo spoke exclusively to ESPN Cricinfo recently about the upcoming Ashes tour and they both sounded confident after Australia’s recent World Cup triumph.

"We've got a very strong squad that's going over to England," Watson said. "We've got good depth and the best part is everyone is in nearly career-best form right now which is most important as well. There is a huge hunger within the group because we know that we haven't won in England for the last three series. I've been involved in two of those. There's a big burning desire to be involved in an Ashes winning campaign in England as well. We're as well prepared as we can be within our group. I'm incredibly excited about what's on the horizon with the Ashes and everyone else is as well."

Steven Smith, who is widely tipped to be named the next ODI skipper of Australia went one step ahead and said that he feels ‘England won’t come close’ to beating them considering Australia’s current form. "I can't wait to get over there and play another Ashes against England in their conditions after beating them so convincingly in Australia. It's going to be nice to go in their backyard. If we continue to play the way we have been playing over the last 12-18 months, I don't think that they'll come close to us to be honest," he said.

On Rajasthan’s IPL campaign

They also spoke about RR’s current campaign in the IPL where they made a terrific start by winning the first five games. They went on to lose the next two with the third one getting washed out. Smith believes that his side is yet to play its best cricket.

Watson then praised the culture the franchise has developed over the years by giving opportunities to unheralded stars. "Some of the other teams spend all their salary caps but in the end it's part of the evolution of our group to give an opportunity to people, like myself in the first year, to impress and get those guys in and around our group because we know they really want to get the best out of themselves and also for the team. We had a good year a couple of years ago when we made the Champions League and this year it feels very special as well with the group we've got around and the depth in our squad has been as good as it ever has been," he said.