DeFreitas is the only England Ashes winner still playing

DeFreitas is the only member of the last England side to win the urn in 1986-87 still playing, but he said on Thursday this season would be his last.

"I was in the last Ashes-winning side and I've got to think there is a chance of us regaining the Ashes," he said.

"Hopefully we can give them a good battle and I'm sure none of the England players will be giving less than 100%."

I would say our priority would be to aim for promotion into the top division of the Championship Phil DeFreitas

The class of 2005 go into the Ashes series, which starts on 21 July, ranked as the second-best team in the world.

"It's a good feeling for us to be going into the series feeling positive," DeFreitas added.

"As a player, you have to go out there against the Australians believing you can win.

"This year we have the players and the quality in depth.

After beginning his career at Leicestershire in the 1985-86 season, DeFreitas enjoyed spells with Lancashire and then Derbyshire before returning to Grace Road.

He has captained every county he has played for and also represented England in 44 Tests.

Now aged 39, he said: "I want to go out on a high."

"We had a pre-season tour of India and Pakistan which went fantastically well so I'm feeling pretty good and everything is looking pretty good too.

"In terms of our aims for the season, we would certainly like to defend our Twenty20 title