HUGH Morris has backed Andy Flower and Andrew Strauss to guide England to their first Ashes win on Australian soil in almost a quarter of a century.

The England squad flew out of Heathrow bound for Perth yesterday looking to retain the urn and become the first side to triumph Down Under since Mike Gatting’s men emerged victorious in 1986/87.

Former England opener Morris, now the managing director of England Cricket, believes coach Flower and captain Strauss can emulate that success when the five-match series gets underway on November 25 and eradicate the memory of the 5-0 whitewash on their last visit.

He said: ‘‘The players are quietly confident and looking forward to the challenge.

‘‘We are pleased with the way we have played over the last 18 months. I think the leadership that Andy Flower and Andrew Strauss have shown the players has been fantastic and the players have responded really well to that.

‘‘Our results have been good both home and away and we go to Australia with some confidence.’’ While strong leadership has certainly played a part in England’s impressive recent form, Morris acknowledges several players have come to the fore and will again be asked to lead by example Down Under.

He added: ‘‘Good leadership has been part of it but we also have a lot of very good players.

Over the last 18 months the likes of Graeme Swann have been outstanding.

‘‘While we have some worldclass players, we have played really well as a team and when we have found ourselves in difficult corners we have fought our way out and produced some good results.”

There have been suggestions England’s frontline bowlers would miss the final match before the first Test in Brisbane – against Australia A in Hobart – as the conditions in Tasmania would be radically different to those at the Gabba.

While Morris refused to confirm whether there would be major changes to the side for the short hop across the Bass Strait, he did not deny their plans were flexible.

He said: ‘‘What we have tried to do in terms of our planning and logistics is to make sure we have as good a warm-up period for the first Test as possible.

‘‘Last time was a challenge but this time we have three weeks and three matches. It depends on form and injuries but our plans heading into the first Test are flexible.’’ England, who start their first warm-up game against Western Australia on November 5, should start favourites for the Ashes, according to Adam Gilchrist.

The former Australia wicketkeeper- batsman thinks the tourists’ confidence will stand them in good stead, but believes Australia’s home advantage will make for an exciting series.

Gilchrist said: ‘‘I see a very confident, compact England unit about to arrive.

‘‘England should start favourites. They are the most composed group at the moment and seem to have confidence about each other and as a group. That will serve them well on that first morning.

‘‘But either team could win it. I agree with Andrew Strauss – you can hardly split the top four or five teams in world cricket at the moment.

‘‘There is no dominant team. On any given day one can beat the other.’’ On the hosts’ current situation, Gilchrist added: ‘‘Australia have a tremendous home record and have been particularly strong over the last 15-20 years. The West Indies did well in the 1980s and early 90s but since then it’s been a bit bare for the touring teams.

‘‘Australia play the conditions well and Ricky Ponting plays particularly well in home conditions. There is going to be a lot of weight on his shoulders if they’re to be successful and I suspect he’ll be up for it too.

‘‘But there is uncertainty about what their best 11 is when everyone is fully fit. The bowling has suffered a great deal of disruption and that makes it difficult.

‘‘The spin bowling position has always been under question since Shane Warne left.

Nathan Hauritz has tried his best and received great support from the selectors and that will be another contentious issue as the series hots up.

‘‘The team have taken a blow in confidence with a series of negative results and I think we are realising we don’t like losing and took for granted that we were winning so often.

‘‘But it’s a new period in Australian cricket and there is no need to talk about the previous group.’’ England have a poor record Down Under in recent times.

They lost their last tour 5-0 under the captaincy of Andrew Flintoff and are seeking a first series success in Australia since 1986-87, with the only three wins they have achieved in 26 matches coming from ‘dead rubbers’.

Gilchrist added: ‘‘Either team could win it. It will be a closely contested series.’’