VIKRAM Solanki is better placed than most to predict the outcome of the Ashes -- which finally gets underway at Lord's on Thursday.

After spending six weeks with England's one-day side, which battled head-to-toe with Australia in the NatWest Series and Challenge with neither side gaining true dominance, Worcestershire skipper Solanki predicts another close-call over the famous urn.

Bookmakers give Ricky Ponting's Aussies the edge to retain the Ashes, but in-form England hold their best chance in more than a decade to defeat the old enemy.

Solanki, 29, senses a warm optimism inside the England camp, but warns that Test cricket's number one side are still worthy of their title.

Claiming victory in the first Test at St Johns Wood could be crucial, points out Solanki, as the sport's bitterest rivals look to take the ascendancy.

"To win the first Test is going to be a huge advantage," said Solanki.

"Whichever side wins that will have the momentum and the other team is then playing catch-up.

"Obviously, it means that side need to win two tests to turn it around and that's hard work. But the first Test is no more important than any other Test, although it would be nice for England to get it.

"The England team were disappointed to lose the NatWest Challenge, but what they can take out of all the one-day games is that they competed very well against Australia.

"There has been talk of the Australians not being the same side as previous years, but they are a great side and proved that in their last two one-day internationals."

Solanki added: "You have to bowl teams out twice and England have the attack to do that. But the Australians are not going to lie down.

"This is the first Ashes we've talked about for a long time, whereby people really feel England have a serious chance. I'm expecting it to be very close throughout."

Solanki returned to the Worcestershire fray last week after limited opportunities to shine in England's one-day programme against Australia and Bangladesh.

Including last Tuesday's 'substitute' cameo, when he struck an unbeaten 53 in the final NatWest Challenge match, Solanki strode out to the crease just four times, often at varying ends of the batting order.

Despite chalking up 43 ODIs over the past five years, Solanki is no nearer to nailing down a solid berth in the Three Lions side.

He admits: "It's been strange. There have been times in short spurts where I've had a regular role. I've had a run where, for a time, I knew I would be opening the batting for England.

"It's been disappointing to have been left out of the England side when I have been.

"The way I look at it, I aim to make the best of any opportunity that comes my way. And as long as I'm enjoying it, and it's fantastic playing cricket for England, then I'm happy to play a part for my country."