Somehow one expects it is not the prime inducement but Ashley Giles claims he would be "given the freedom of Droitwich" if he realises his dream of holding the Ashes aloft at the Oval in early September.

If England tame the Australians in the five-Test series Giles expects the team to be lauded as heroes. "I could be given the freedom of Droitwich," quipped the England and Warwickshire left-arm orthodox spin bowler.

He is aware that Michael Vaughan's side will be revered in the same way as England's rugby World Cupwinning side of 2003 if they can wrestle back the tiny urn for the first time in 18 years.

He will have a key part to play and says he is in prime mental and physical condition for the demanding challenges of the next seven weeks against the world's best Test team.

Giles said: "We are aware that we can go down in history if we win but that is not an extra pressure. That is a great incentive.

"We could be standing at the Oval in a few weeks' time holding up the Ashes. What a great incentive that is for this bunch of guys.

"It would be a terrific reward because we all get on very well and we all play well together. That is something which has developed over a period of time.

"That image of the Oval in September is something we should keep in mind during this next few weeks because there are going to be some bloody tough days.

"Australia are going to come at us but we have to just think of the rewards as well if we come through, being lifted on the shoulders of people, given the freedom of Droitwich!

"It would be fantastic and I think a few of us would go missing for a week at the end of the series if we managed to come out on top.

"Everyone is a bit nervous but that's only natural as well. The build-up has been going on for so long now, we just want to get on with the action.

"It will be good to get to the stage where everyone stops talking about what is going to happen and can just report and talk about what has actually happened.

" Personally, I've been mentally preparing for this series for five months. Again, we are still going to be a bit twitchy on the first morning but, as long as that is controlled, there is nothing wrong with that at all.

"It has been difficult to block the talk out because you get it from all angles, not just from you media guys but from everyone you meet in the street, even the family. It's been 'how are the kids?' and then 'are we going to win the Ashes?"'

"Against Australia, I've played two, lost two but I feel better-prepared as a cricketer than in those two matches, mentally and physically. I feel like I'm ready.

"You never know what is going to happen. Not everyone is going to have a good series but I feel that I've done as much as I can to give myself the best chance.

"You are still a little nervous - but you are better off being relaxed rather than being uptight and nervous because I am then not going to perform as I should.

"Two years ago I would have been agitated, worried. I am pretty focused now on what I've got to do. I know these guys are good. They are good against spin and the left-handers in particular will come after me.

"But it's a challenge. I might go for a few runs but I might get a couple of them out as well. My mental preparation is a lot better. It's more about focusing on what I have to do, what my processes are, rather than what can happen if it all goes wrong."