COACH Duncan Fletcher believes England's bowlers have a big part to play if his team are to retain the Ashes.

England and Australia are preparing to meet again Down Under, with the hosts looking to avenge their 2-1 defeat in a thrilling series last time around.

The first Test begins in Brisbane on Nov 23 - and Ricky Ponting's men are firm favourites to win the series.

Fletcher, however, is plotting to overturn those odds.

"The players played really hard Test cricket in the last series, but you have got to have bowlers who can bowl a side out twice," he said.

"Steve Harmison is back; Andrew Flintoff coming back is crucial - if he can put in a decent spell of overs.

"The players are good enough - they've done it before against quality batsmen - and we feel we've got the right players."

Ponting is pretty confident too - and is determined Australia will repeat none of the mistakes he admits they were guilty of in England in 2005.

"We felt in the last Ashes series we did not always get it right at one or two big moments," he said.