England coach Andy Flower insists it would be a mistake to see the upcoming Test series against Pakistan as just preparation for the Ashes this winter (England – 11/4 Ashes Winners).

England travel Down Under this winter looking to retain the urn they recaptured from the Australians last summer.

The upcoming series against Pakistan is seen by many supporters as a good measuring stick for how the England side could fair against the Baggy Greens.

England will be hopeful of transferring their great one-day form back to the Test arena having not played a five-day game for over a month.

The last time Andrew Strauss’ side pulled on the cricket whites they managed to easily get the better of Bangladesh.

However, Pakistan will be regarded as a much sterner test for England and Flower says the players must be 100% focused on the job in hand rather than what lies ahead.

“It would be wrong for us to look at it as preparation,” he said on the forthcoming Pakistan series, which is live on Sky Sports.

“Obviously it comes before the Ashes but it is important for us to play good cricket against them and cement the way we want to play.

“We need to then take confidence from those methods into the Ashes series.”

Pakistan (7/1 – 2011 World Cup winners) are currently playing Australia (4/1) in a two-match Test series as the Aussies continue their own build-up to the Ashes.