New Delhi, Nov 12 (IANS): Adam Gilchrist thinks Australia are capable of beating a "much improved" England in the Ashes beginning with the Sydney Test Nov 21.

The great wicket keeper-batsman praised coach Darren Lehmann for bringing the team together after a difficult period which saw Australia losing an Ashes series for the third time in a row.

"The Australian team has been progressing well from the experience and knowledge they would have gained from the England series," Gilchrist, who is here as the brand ambassador of University of Wollongong, said Tuesday.

"A lot of it (the improvement) has to do with Darren coming as coach. Rightly or wrongly, I don't know something wasn't gelling within the Australian team.

"Darren is fantastic at bringing people together, creating an environment which everyone wants to be part of. The right people are in charge to make the team successful," said the 41-year-old.

Gilchrist, however, asserted that Australia will have to play out of their skins to get the better of England.

"You have to expect that England will be much improved than the last series in August. I don't think they were at their peak in England. So the challenges remain and that means we start as second favourites. At the same time, it doesn't mean we can't get the Ashes back," he added.