Malcolm played in England's Legends Twenty20 match against Australia

Former England and Northants paceman Devon Malcolm has backed England to win the opening Ashes Test in Cardiff.

Malcolm believes the conditions should favour England but, due to their superior record at Lord's, Australia may level there.

He told BBC Radio Northampton: "Australia haven't got the big guns, so it's going to be a lot more balanced.

"Hopefully the pitch will turn at Cardiff and we can win, but Australia may come back hard at Lord's."

Malcolm is currently playing in the Northants League for Brixworth alongside former Australian international Jason Gillespie.

And he added that he would choose Greame Swann and Monty Panesar for the England attack in Cardiff, where conditions are expected to suit slow bowlers.

"We have got Swanny," he said. "Who is very confident at the moment.

"Monty Panesar has quite a lot of competition from Adil Rashid, and he hasn't got a massive amount of wickets this summer, but hopefully they will give Monty a go in the first Test.

"Hopefully England will win the series 2-1."

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