Michael Clarke can't imagine a better preparation for Australia's quest to win an Ashes series in England for the first time since 2001.
Josh Hazlewood bounced back from a first-over mauling on Saturday, powering his side to a 169-run win over Essex in their final Ashes tune-up.
The squad was quickly on the bus from Chelmsford to Cardiff, with their mind well and truly focused on the series opener that starts on Wednesday.
Clarke's men thumped the West Indies in last month's two-Test series, then cruised to a 255-run win over Kent last week in their first match in England.
"We're as well prepared as we can be for this Test match," the captain said.
"Individuals have got what they needed (in the tour matches) and I think the build up now is really exciting for the players.
"We've needed these two tour games, they've both been a success.
"We've had two wins in two games in the UK so far, so that's a real positive ... we can grab this momentum and take it into the first Test."
Ryan Harris' retirement is clearly a blow, but the veteran was not going to play in the first two Tests at any rate.
Hazlewood, whose importance to Australia during the Ashes has been amplified by Harris' exit, conceded 27 runs in his opening over but finished with figures of 4-42 as Essex were rolled for 200.
New-ball partner Mitchell Starc also impressed with three scalps, making it nine wickets for the match.
The young guns will join Mitchell Johnson in an unchanged attack for the first Test.
The visitors added nine runs to their overnight score in Chelmsford, setting the hosts a victory target of 370.
Jesse Ryder was promoted to opener and showed his side had every intention of reeling it in, despite having two players unable to bat due to injuries.
Hazlewood copped the brunt of the Ryder storm.
The 24-year-old started with a dot ball but that was followed by a combination of clean hitting, skied edges and a no-ball as Ryder teed off at every opportunity.
Ryder's 37-run blitz ended when his middle stump was uprooted by Starc.
The preceding over, Hazlewood picked up the first wicket of his maiden Ashes tour by trapping opener Jaik Mickleburgh lbw in the sixth over.
The NSW metronome grew in confidence and struck thrice in his second spell - dismissing Ryan ten Doeschate and Jamie Porter lbw with consecutive balls.
Hazlewood couldn't complete the hat-trick, but offspinner Nathan Lyon wrapped up victory soon after with his only wicket of the match.
Lyon finished with the unflattering match figures of 1-200 from 34.4 overs.
"Generally you're going to go for a lot more runs than you're used to in Australia, where there is bigger grounds and slower outfields," Clarke said.
"But it gives you the opportunity to take wickets as well."
Pat Cummins, who hasn't played first-class cricket in almost two years, will join the 17-man squad in Cardiff as a replacement for Harris.
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