Broad ready for Ashes challenge

Stuart Broad insists the challenge of taking wickets in Australia holds no fear for the England attack.

Pakistan captain Salman Butt offered the view that Broad and co may be in for a struggle as they bid to retain the Ashes Down Under next winter but Broad believes he and his colleagues have the talent and adaptability to prove Butt wrong.

"We have no fear going to Australia, and we certainly have the skills necessary to go and win the Ashes over there," he predicted. "We are very confident in our attack. We have bowled fantastically well this summer, in the conditions we've had."

He added: "We have bowled Pakistan out very cheaply in all but one innings."

Butt's warning follows an unexpected claim from Australia captain Ricky Ponting that another 5-0 whitewash may be in the offing for England, following their Ashes drubbing on Australian soil in 2006/07.

Broad sees things very differently.

"We are all very confident in what we do," he said.

"We have the best spinner in the world in Graeme Swann, and some very skilful seamers too.

"Everyone will have an opinion on the Ashes, because it is such a huge series. But what opposition players and opposition captains say has no impact on us and what we are going to do.

"We have great confidence in our ability - just look at our record over the last 18 months."