England fly out to Australia this evening with a full complement of players charged with retaining the Ashes won so heroically last summer.

Ashley Giles' clearance to travel Down Under provided Duncan Fletcher and his squad with a timely boost this week as they prepared to depart from Heathrow for one of the most highly-anticipated series in the history of the Ashes.

Inspirational skipper Andrew Flintoff is fit enough to bat and bowl, Giles has added experience to Monty Panesar's youthful spin talent and Alastair Cook is the young batsman able to support Marcus Trescothick.

However, those variables will make or break England this winter.

Flintoff's ankle has not been fully tested yet, Giles has only recently recovered and Trescothick's mental well-being not entirely assured.

Betterbet.com's current odds have Australia hot favourites at 1/3, England at 4/1 and the draw rated an 11/2 chance.