Former English Test cricketer Kevin Pietersen has backed Australia to win retain the Ashes in a hotly contested series.

Pietersen, who is currently playing for the St Lucia Zouks in the Caribbean Premier League, was coy about England's chances on home soil but maintained that the Australian's would ultimately retain the coveted urn.

"The Ashes is going to be very close, much closer than we think. Australia have the edge in certain areas but it's not going to be three, four or five nil." Pietersen said speaking to ex-English cricketer Darren Gough on TalkSport radio.

"I've gone for two-one to Australia but English conditions will help England and Australia will be tested. The Dukes ball is totally different from the Kookaburra."

A number of English players have played themselves into good form recently with Joe Root and James Anderson looking to spearhead the English line-up coming into the first Test on July 8.

Despite the English teams recent change in fortune, Pietersen believed that England's stars needed to perform to their maximum ability or risk being blown away by the Australians.

"England have some key players in Root, Anderson and Alastair Cook." he said.

"They all have to have an amazing series because, if they don't, then we're in trouble, whereas Australia have a lot of depth in their side."