ENGLAND must take a chance on Kevin Pietersen in order to capitalise on Shane Warne's weakness.

That's the view of former Australian batsman Mark Waugh ahead of a fascinating Ashes summer.

Waugh believes England should pick Pietersen because he is one of only a few players available to skipper Michael Vaughan who can ruffle Warne's feathers.

Hampshire skipper Warne and fellow Australian legend Glenn McGrath are the two bowlers England MUST attack this summer.

If they do, they can take advantage of Warne's "temperament and ego" problem.

Waugh said: "England must run hard between the wickets, be ready to put the loose ball away and be willing to take risks, particularly against Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath.

"These two have been the backbone of the Australian bowling attack for years and the platform on which many victories have been built.

"England must play the ball, not the man, and put some pressure back on them.

"While McGrath is probably as good as ever, I don't think Warney is quite the bowler he was five to ten years ago.

"He is still very good but he relies more on accuracy, subtle variations and reputation these days than on vicious, ripping leg breaks and unplayable flippers."

Waugh said it was up to players such as Pietersen and fellow big-hitter Andrew Flintoff to take the initiative.

"When Shane and Glenn have had off days, it has been when opposition batsmen have challenged them with aggressive strokeplay and strong body language," said Waugh. "Both can become testy and distracted when things don't go quite their own way.

"Their temperaments and egos sometimes get in the way of their normal routine.

"If England can unsettle these two, that may go a long way to making this Ashes series a real contest."

England have lost eight successive Ashes series, stretching back to 1989, and Waugh said: "I don't think they can win but, if they start the series well, they can give us a good run for our money.

"The Poms have progressed impressively in the past couple of years to be the number two-ranked Test team.

"With that has come a new-found self-belief and the emergence of some world-class, match-winning players. Confidence and self-belief are big factors in any sport.

"But if the Aussies open up a few old wounds early on, then the Poms' self-doubt against Australia could easily emerge."