“They’ve got four good players I reckon”

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

The Ashes may still be more than six months away, but that hasn’t stopped former Australia opener Ed Cowan from taking an early swipe at England.

Cowan, who represented Australia in 18 Tests, admitted that he doesn’t hold England’s team in high regard and added that they only have “four good players”.

Furthermore, he expressed his excitement at the prospect of the Baggy Greens fielding a pace attack that consists of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and James Pattinson.

“Absolutely,” Cowan told Fox Sports News 500’s Bill and Boz when asked if Australia have a chance of regaining the Ashes. “England are not a very good team. They’ve got four good players I reckon.

“We’re going to have the best fast bowling attack Australia’s seen since (Glenn) McGrath, (Brett) Lee and (Jason) Gillespie all bowled together.”

Meanwhile, Cowan admitted that he has been highly impressed with Chris Lynn’s destructive ability with the bat ahead of the Champions Trophy, which will be held in England next month.

Lynn injured his shoulder early on in the Indian Premier League (IPL), but made his comeback for the Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday, where he smashed a 22-ball 50, which included five boundaries and four sixes.

“He hits it as hard as anyone in world cricket,” Cowan said. “(A) phenomenal talent. I’d say one of the best white ball cricketers in the world.

“We’re only going to hear more of him. (At the) Champions Trophy, I think that is going to be the moment that Chris Lynn announces himself to international cricket. (On) small grounds in England – not that he needs small grounds – he can half hit them and they’ll be 50 rows back.”