STEVE Rhodes reckons Worcestershire can boost England's poor Ashes start by thwarting Australia's winning run.

The rampant Aussies take on the County at New Road tomorrow for a three-day tourist match, in preparation for next Thursday's second npower Test at Edgbaston.

England are playing catch-up after crashing to Ricky Ponting's men at Lord's and require a quick riposte if they are to win the Ashes for the first time since 1986/87.

Worcestershire head coach Rhodes, who played 11 Tests for England between 1994 and 1995, insists his side 'owe' a good performance to the national side.

The patriotic Yorkshireman believes England can benefit if the County prevent several of Australia's star names from working themselves into form.

Although recent results suggest another triumph for the tourists, Worcestershire can take encouragement from Somerset's one-day humbling of Australia at the beginning of the itinerary.

"We owe it to England to put in a very good performance," said Rhodes. "We want to give the Australians a really tough game.

"The bottom line is for us to play well and I'm optimistic that we will. Hopefully, we can put a few of the Australian batsmen out of form and bat well ourselves against their bowlers.

"If England achieve a good result in the second Test, I would like to think we played a small part in their success.

"Australia are the best team in the world and this is a fantastic occasion for everybody at the club, including the players and supporters. If we can prove to Australia that Worcestershire are not a bad side, that would be terrific."

Rhodes continued: "It was disappointing that England missed out in the first Test. I don't think they played that badly.

"We (England) bowled out Australia twice and that's something we've not been able to do. If England can get the batting sorted, then there's a good chance of turning it around."

Ex-Worcestershire man Glenn McGrath is among the Australian squad travelling to Worcester, but the County's overseas star in 2000 will be on the sidelines along with Shane Warne and Brett Lee.

While the tourists field a strong batting line-up with several key Test players, Rhodes expected changes to the bowling department.

He was not surprised to see spinner Stuart MacGill and pacemen Shaun Tait and Michael Kasprowicz named in the side.

Rhodes added: "I couldn't see those three (McGrath, Warne, Lee) playing. The Australian management were likely to want to rest those for the second Test.

"Quite a lot of their batsmen will play. But I see it as an opportunity for some of the bowlers who did not play in the first Test.

"It will be exciting to see Shaun Tait. He was the highest wicket-taker in Australian domestic cricket last year and is a desperately quick bowler."

n Opener Stephen Peters has been recalled to the Worcestershire 12 after good form in the seconds, while Shoaib Akhtar is rested.

Squad: Moore, Peters, Hick, Smith, Solanki, de Bruyn, Batty, Kabir, Pipe, Mason, Malik, Price.