Ashes to ashes, or dust to dust?

After England's recent struggles in the test (cricket) series against Sri Lanka which ended yesterday with a Sri Lankan victory I wonder how competitive the Ashes series later this year will be. I wouldn't be so bold as to predict an Australian walkover but, given (1) England's recent modest form and (2) Australia's home ground advantage, the matches may not be as keenly contested as we (that is all cricket lovers as opposed to partisan supporters) might have hoped.