Tendulkar backing England to retain ashes down under

Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar believes England have every chance of retaining the Ashes on Australian soil this winter.

Tendulkar, one of the best batsmen in the history of the game, believes England's chances will largely depend on the form of Kevin Pietersen and Graeme Swann and he also expects Test rookie Eoin Morgan to feature prominently.

Tendulkar was speaking in London at a NatWest celebration to mark its 30th season supporting English cricket. Tendulkar, in his capacity as global ambassador for the RBS Group, kicked off the start of the 2010 NatWest series which will see England play Australia, Bangladesh and Pakistan in 13 one-day internationals and two Twenty20 events from June to September.

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Tendulkar, 37, believes England will be high in confidence following their ICC World Twenty20 success in the West Indies in April.

"I think England have a good chance of retaining the Ashes. The key members will be Pietersen, Morgan, and in the bowling department Swann. Then after that you have the experience of Andrew Strauss, so they can do something special in Australia. Swann will play a big role so I think England definitely have a good chance."

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