> Australians not too old: Ponting

Australia's cricketers have scoffed at suggestions their ageing team is too old to win back the Ashes from England.

Australia's likely lineup will be the oldest in almost 80 years with an average age of about 33, compared to an England side that will average around 27.

At 37, Shane Warne will be the oldest player in the team but more than half the side for the first test in Brisbane will be at least 35, including Glenn McGrath (36), Justin Langer (36), Matthew Hayden (35), Damien Martyn (35) and Adam Gilchrist and (35).

Ponting is one of the youngest players in the team at 31 but insists age is irrelevent.

"It's dictated by performances. It doesn't really matter about your age," Ponting told reporters at the official Ashes launch in Sydney.

"It's spoken about a lot, the age of the side, but those guys keep performing.

"Look at Warnie and McGrath and Hayden. They're our best performers."

Warne also scoffed at the idea his team's age was a problem, saying he was bowling as well, if not better, than at any stage in his career.

The leg-spinner was Australia's leading wicket taker in the last Ashes series with 40 scalps and needs just 15 more to become the first player to claim 700 test victims.

"I'm probably fitter now than when I started," he said.

"I am bowling a few deliveries better but there are no mysteries.

"We know how they're going to bat, they know how I'm going to bowl, it's a matter of execution and who does the best on the day."

Australia are overwhelming favourites to regain the Ashes after England's form slipped since the last Ashes but Warne said he was still expecting a close series.

"The Ashes always brings out the best in both teams, no matter how poor one of the sides are playing," Warne said.

"At the moment, England aren't playing as well as they would like but at the end of the day it's all about how they play during this series.

"They've got some match-winners there and I'm sure they'll be looking to entertain and play well."