Ramprakash played 52 Test matches for England

Former England batsman Mark Ramprakash believes Andrew Strauss' side will triumph during this winter's Ashes series against Australia.

Ramprakash, who played in five Ashes series, said strength in depth was key as England attempt to win the urn down under for the first time since 1986-87.

"England have plenty in the tanks to have a go at Australia and beat them comfortably," he told BBC London 94.9.

"In all departments England have got strength in depth."

England have enjoyed a run of success in 2010, beating Pakistan in the controversial summer tour and winning home and away Test series against Bangladesh.

In addition, they beat Australia in the final of the ICC World Twenty20 in May to become world champions - and beat Australia, Bangladesh and Pakistan in respective limited overs series.

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Ramprakash said: "I think that England are on the up, and Australia are at a point where while they have got some experienced players, like Ricky Ponting of course - who is still a wonderful player, and Mike Hussey - they're bedding in a few other guys and they're not the cohesive unit we saw for so long with all those greats in the side.

"That's not to say they're not talented and in no way should England underestimate them, but I think that over five games England have enough strength in depth to come out on top."

Two of Ramparakash's Surrey team-mates, fast bowler Chris Tremlett and wicketkeeper Steven Davies, have been named in England's 16-man squad for this winter's Ashes.

Tremlett has played in three Tests for England, while Davies is yet to perform at that level, although he has featured in international limited overs cricket.

Ramprakash said both men were quite capable of performing at a high level for England, despite their relative inexperience.

"Chris has come here and he's enjoyed the atmosphere, he's enjoyed the new challenge, he's matured as a person and as a player since he last played Test cricket and we've just seen the culmination of that over the last season," Ramprakash said.

"He's capable of performing well and giving Andrew Strauss a bowler who can not only take wickets but who has a very tight economy rate.

"He doesn't go for many runs per over so he can fit into that England bowling attack very well. I think with Steven Finn we're not quite sure what we're going to get from him in Australia, the Australians are obviously good batsman, and on good wickets, you're going to have to be mean and disciplined with your bowling.

"It may be that you come on and bowl six overs for 15 runs and you've contributed to a fairly tight session and the game hasn't got away from England. Tremlett can do that."

Like top players, he looks to have time at the crease, a good temperament and he has been very consistent this year. Mark Ramprakash on wicketkeeper Steven Davies

And Ramprakash said Davies' temperament meant he would be capable of making the step up to Test cricket, even in the intense atmosphere of an Ashes tour.

"Like top players, he looks to have time at the crease, a good temperament and he has been very consistent this year," he said.

"If you look at the one day cricket, which is what he's broken into, he scored very quickly but it seemed in a very controlled way.

"You don't see him running down the wicket hitting the seamer back over his head, batting across the line, hitting cross-bat shots - he plays in a cultured way with genuine cricket shots and that's what stood out to me and that's why he's consistent.

"That's what makes him able to step up to that level. His keeping's improving all the time and certainly he'll be given the chance and he won't let England down at all - he's played very well in one-day cricket but I'm talking about Test matches."

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