LEEDS: England national selector Geoff Miller has rejected suggestions Australia are a side on the slide.

England play a Pakistan side fresh from a three-wicket second Test win over Australia at Headingley here on Saturday in the first of a four-Test series starting at Trent Bridge on Thursday.

During their tour, Australia lost a one-day series against England 3-2 and were beaten in both Twenty20 internationals by Pakistan.

Australia also ended up squaring a Test series against Pakistan 1-1 after being bowled out for just 88 in the first innings at Headingley - their lowest Test total in 26 years.

Miller, after announcing England`s squad for the first Test against Pakistan on Sunday, was asked if Australia were a team on the wane.

However, the former England off-spinner told BBC Radio Five: "I would never, ever say Australia are in decline, that is the last thing you would say because that will bite you back."

The Pakistan series is England`s last before the November start of their defence of the Ashes in Australia, where they haven`t won a Test campaign since Mike Gatting`s men triumphed in 1986/87.

"We know full well how difficult travelling to Australia and playing in their backyard is," Miller said. "We will have to be full-on our mettle."

BDST: 1558hrs, July 25, 2010