CAPTAIN Ricky Ponting has cheekily suggested there might be more Australian fans than English at the opening Ashes Test in Cardiff starting on Wednesday.

The decision to play the match in Wales has already attracted plenty of controversy in England with fears the home side has given up its home-ground advantage for the first rubber.

And Ponting just couldn't help himself in his pre-match press conference at Sophia Gardens.

"I am actually expecting a lot of support down here considering we are in Wales," he said.

"It might be more the other way around - there might be more Australian supporters here than anything else."

The much-anticipated match is due to start at 11am (2000 AEST).

Ponting refused to give anything away about the starting XI, with swing bowler Ben Hilfenhaus and spinner Nathan Hauritz fighting for the last bowling spot.

The weather will play a big part in which way Australia goes.

If there is more rain and it stays overcast then Hilfenhaus should play.

But if it remains relatively fine then Hauritz is expected to play.

Ponting said his men had learnt plenty from their series defeat in 2005 in England.

"Where we are at and the way we have prepared and the feel around the group, I am sure that we won't be making those mistakes again," he said.

"If we are good enough, we are good enough and I have got a really good feeling that we are good enough."