Test cricket's greatest wicket-taker of all time, Shane Warne, has tipped Steve Harmison as the man most likely to stand between Australia and the Ashes next summer.

Ashington-born Harmison is ranked the No 1 bowler in the world after making a stunning impact over the last year.

"Harmison is a world-class bowler,'' said Warne.

"He bowls around 90mph, he's tall and is starting to bowl a really good length. He is as good as anyone in the world.

"His pace, height, and bounce will trouble anyone in the world.

"If England don't have Harmison for the Ashes next year, it will be a clean sweep for the Aussies.

"If he is fit and firing we will have a battle on our hands for the first time in 17 years."

England's current crop of fast bowlers have done much to restore the national team's fortunes at Test level, but next year against Australia will be the ultimate test.

The Aussies are set to unleash the full fury of their pace attack - Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie, Michael Kasprowicz and Brett Lee - the men who destroyed Nasser Hussain's team in 2002-03 and who will be gunning for Michael Vaughan's side next season.

But Warne believes that England have the firepower to resist the Australian onslaught and hit back with their own ammunition.

He said: "With Simon Jones, Mathew Hoggard and Andrew Flintoff, England boast four good bowlers who are big and fast.

"Add class batsmen in Graham Thorpe and Michael Vaughan, plus Marcus Trescothick if he is in good form, plus a couple of up-and coming-youngsters, and England are starting to develop into a pretty good side.

"It could be the closest series for a long time."

After a promising Test debut against India at Trent Bridge in 2002, Durham paceman Harmison struggled and on the last Ashes tour in 2002-03 he fired down seven wides in one over.

In the Perth Test he lost his action before being banished to the nets during the lunch interval to refocus his erratic radar.

Former England fast bowlers such as John Snow, Bob Willis, and Frank Tyson acknowledged his potential but were quick to criticise his habit of falling away in his delivery stride and straying down the leg-side.

But 18 months later, Harmison has become one of the most feared fast bowlers in the world.

He has strengthened his body and kept himself free of injury after training during last winter with Newcastle United.

He tormented the West Indies batsmen during last winter's tour, taking seven for 12 in the Jamaica Test, and regularly makes the best batsmen play and miss outside the off stump.

His pace and bounce have at times made him unplayable.

Warne expects Harmison to spearhead the home side's efforts next year and they look certain of putting up a tougher fight than the Australians have been accustomed to in recent meetings.

England have lost eight consecutive series since Mike Gatting's team retained the urn, nearly two decades ago in 1986-87 in Australia, but the spin king admits next year could be different.