Haddin also believes Australia's arsenal of fast bowlers gives them a distinct advantage in attempting to retain the urn on English soil.

The 37-year-old is undecided if he will hang up the gloves after the Ashes, but has returned refreshed ahead of this month's tour of the West Indies and then the Ashes.

Pietersen, the dynamic strokemaker on the outer since the 2013-14 Ashes whitewash, .

"It's been good humour," he said. "I'd be happy if he doesn't play [because] he's played some extraordinary knocks.

"I'm not even going to get into the debate about that. They're doing well enough themselves, aren't they?"

The England team could do with a leg-up to find a way to conquer Australia's bulging pace attack, including Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Ryan Harris, Peter Siddle, James Pattinson, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins.

"You need a big group of fast bowlers to win big tournaments and we've got a great crop," Haddin said.

"We've got five-to-seven fast bowlers that hit the radar gun at over 140k/ph and they're all fighting for spots.

"You can't win a five-Test series with three quicks, you need all your fast bowlers firing. That's one big advantage we have."

Haddin, who came through the Canberra ranks, has become an invaluable part of the Australian team, having played 63 Tests. The one thing missing is winning an Ashes on English soil.

"The Ashes is the holy grail for me," Haddin said. "An Ashes campaign is totally different theatre.

"The pressure you're under is so different to anything else you can compare, similar to a World Cup at home.

"I'll sit down with my family after it's over, but my body's in good shape and my form's good. I'm not too worried about the finish line at the moment."

The immediate priority is the Test series against the inconsistent West Indies.

Australia has included leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed alongside incumbent off-spinner Nathan Lyon for the slow wickets.

"The one thing the West Indies have done since I've played is they have played their conditions well," Haddin said. "We've got a couple of spinners and a group of fast bowlers ready to go.

"They'll be competitive in their own environment, but it's up to us to not give them a sniff, start the series well and don't let them get into it."