Battle lines drawn as England's troops head for Australia

Captain Strauss, who yesterday signed a two-year contract extension at Middlesex, called for an end to "hunky-dory" relations with Ricky Ponting's side until the final ball of the series had been bowled, insisting winning was everything this winter.

The 33-year-old instructed his players to be cordial to their opponents, but otherwise to keep their distance during the five-Test battle.

"Ultimately, until the end of that fifth Test, they're two sides at war with each other," said Strauss ahead of England's departure to Australia today. "Both sides know that, at the end of the series, 11 guys are going to be feted as heroes and 11 guys are going to have failed in their task.

"Until that final Test is over, there's no point in being too hunky-dory and friendly with the opposition; our task is to go out there and beat them."

Strauss stressed there was no ill feeling behind his sentiments, adding: "I don't think it's about anger; it's about being clinical and logical, and dealing with the pressure well. It's not about us hating the Australians or anything like that; it's about us going out there and beating the other 11 guys on the park."

Strauss saw first hand just how ruthless Australia could be four years ago when England were whitewashed 5-0 Down Under.

He is desperate to bury the ghosts of that series. "We're out there to win. Simple. That's our goal," he said. "Everything we've done, every decision we've made up until now, has been about us winning this Ashes series. Every decision we make from now on will be about winning this Ashes series. None of us want to have any regrets at the end of it."

England have not won an Ashes series in Australia for almost a quarter of a century, but Strauss said: "There's nothing to be overawed about. It's a tough tour - there's no doubt about that - but if you're prepared for it then you shouldn't be overawed. I think there's a real relaxed excitement about the troops at the moment because they feel ready."

England have also won only three of the last 26 Ashes Tests on Australian soil, all of them dead rubbers.

"For us to waltz over there and strut around and think we're just going to dominate proceedings would be wrong," said Strauss. "But, at the same time, I think there's a great, deep, fundamental belief that we can go out there and win. If we turn over those previous statistics, that'll highlight the scale of the achievement."

Bringing back the Ashes would see Strauss go down in history as one of England's great captains. "Potentially, this could be one of the greatest winters ever for English cricket," he said."But that's a long way off and to start dreaming about it or thinking about it at this stage is unhelpful."

Strauss was adamant he possessed the "steeliness" to handle whatever is thrown at him in Australia and was ready to be branded the bad guy by the home fans and media. "I remember Ricky Ponting was kind of the pantomime villain over here for most of last summer, and it may be the same case for me over there," said Strauss, who enjoyed learning Ponting and Australia vice-captain Michael Clarke had their images projected on to Big Ben with a message reminding him not to forget to bring the urn Down Under.

"I think one of the good things about the Ashes is it's generally good-natured," he added. "There's a healthy and serious rivalry between the two countries, but it generally doesn't spill over and hopefully that's the case this time."