Adam Gilchrist backs struggling Australian bowlers to do well against England

Former wicket-keeping great Adam Gilchrist has backed Australian bowlers to do well against England after they failed to impress against Ireland and Middlesex batsmen.

Australia begins its five-match series of one-day games against England on Tuesday.

Despite its top four being dismissed inside 11 overs, Australia comfortably reached Middlesex's target of 274 to win by five wickets at Lord's on Saturday after a century from Cameron White and an unbeaten 72 from Michael Hussey.

But Australia's second-string attack, with the exception of Doug Bollinger, again failed to impress, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Clint McKay and Ryan Harris, who will play key roles against England, are well short of the form that they showed against Pakistan and the West Indies, the paper said.

Apart from Bollinger, who claimed 3-24, each of Australia's bowlers conceded more than 40 runs.

But Gilchrist, who captained Middlesex against the tourists, said the hitout was the perfect preparation for Australia entering the opening match in Southampton.

"They didn't necessarily dominate us and we didn't take it away from them so it was a good all-round workout. 'They all got the overs under their belt that they would have liked. That's what you look for in these games," Gilchrist said.

Gilchrist said under-rated all-rounder James Hopes, left out for Steve Smith after collecting a career-best 5-14 against Ireland, could prove a handful if conditions suit his medium-pace bowling.