England, who won the Ashes in 2005 for the first time in 18 years, moved to within 11 rating points of Australia after clinching second spot in the International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings after the 3-0 series triumph against Pakistan.
The five-match Ashes series starts in Brisbane on Nov. 23.
However, England will be battling against heavy odds as Australia have not lost a home Test series since 1992-3, and England's last Ashes victory by a three-match margin dates back to the 5-1 triumph in 1978/9.
Australia, also the one-day world champions, have led the Test rankings since they replaced South Africa in 2003.
The Proteas are down to sixth in the 10-team table, which is topped by Australia with 130 points and followed by England (119), Pakistan (112), India (111) and Sri Lanka (103), an ICC statement said on Wednesday.
