Players can become legends by playing in the Ashes, but England must be fearless to succeed.

England captain Ben Stokes is ready to take on Australia again in the Ashes series. As a youngster, I dreamt of playing in the Ashes and when I eventually did, it was a truly exhilarating experience. I'm sure this summer's series will be no different and the players involved will be competing for legendary status.

I'm so proud to be part of the Ashes summer as well as IG's fantastic Net Gains campaign. This campaign is designed to inspire the next generation and also deliver key funding to build new net facilities around the country.

Practising in a net was always a big part of my youth, it allowed me to hone specific skills, something that is so crucial in a player's development. It's no surprise that England's men have achieved success due to their bold brand of cricket under the leadership of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum. They are scoring at an incredible rate of almost five runs per over, and have won 11 out of their 13 Test matches.

The real question is whether England's batting line-up can impose themselves on Australia's world-class bowling attack. Australia are the newly crowned World Test Champions, so they are full of confidence. Steve Smith's runs during the India game is a real cause for concern, as he is a master of occupying the crease and giving himself time.

England will have to find a way to unsettle him early on, but it won't be easy. According to reports, the pitch for the first Test is expected to be dry and flat which should be good for batting. Stokes' inclusion of Moeen Ali may be a masterstroke if the pitch turns later on in the Test.

England will have to remain fit and healthy, as five Tests in six weeks is a difficult grind. Australia's bowling depth looks better, but the challenge for England is to take them on. The biggest threat to England's chances is if they start to doubt their process.

The same goes for England's women's team, as they have to believe they can beat the Australia side. Experience helps with the good and bad days, while the younger players can play without fear. I sense a similar mindset in Issy Wong and others.

I urge everyone to support the women's team by purchasing tickets to the opening Test on the ECB website. This could be a summer of magical moments for England if they play positively and remain focused.

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