The phrase ‘Learning lessons from 2005’ has to be the motto of the upcoming tour of South Africa for England’s Ashes heroes.

Back in 2005 when England defeated the best team in the world and regained the Ashes  for the first time since the 1980’s the celebrations went on and on.

It is fair to say the England squad were still in celebration mode come November when they landed in Pakistan. They subsequently lost both the test and one day series convincingly.

England’s ever-professional current captain Andrew Strauss  is certainly one to keep his and the rest of the teams feet on the ground.

Since becoming skipper after the Pieterson and Moores fiasco Strauss’s record is phenomenal – 1,572 runs at an average 56.14, with six centuries and eight  fifties, almost Bradman-esqe

This series in South Africa will be very tough indeed make no mistake. Unlike Australia the ‘saffers’ are not in a transitional stage and at home they are a formidable force. They have talent in every position, a batting line up that scores runs at a rapid rate plus a hostile and fast bowling attack.

England should take heart in the fact that they won in South Africa back in 2004/05 with some breathtaking performances. However that was under the old guard of Vaughan, Hoggard and Harmison all now gone but in Harmison’s case not quite forgotten.

Under Strauss and coach Andy Flower, England have developed a knack of winning games given just half a sniff from the opposition. They have also had the run of the green luck wise since the turn of the year and in Cricket lady luck plays an important part in terms of umpiring decisions.

In terms of the test starting 11 England have a quandary of sorts, the returning Kevin Pieterson is must at number four but the real debate lies in the tricky number three slot. Ian Bell has tried and failed and Ravi Bopara had a total nightmare against the Aussies and doesn’t make the tour. A

This meana another South African born player Jonathan Trott is also a candidate for the crucial number three slot after his century on debut.

Looking at the squad England do have enough in there to cause South Africa a few problems. That said England have to be on top on their game from the word go and not allow the hosts to take control early in the series.

The above is easier said than done but England have an ace up their sleeve in the aforementioned Kevin Pieterson. Back from injury and chomping at the bit after missing out for most of the ashes series Pieterson has to be top pick for highest run scorer come the end of the series.

Tour Schedule:

Nov 13: 1st Standard Bank Pro20 International, Wanderers, Johannesburg (d/n)
Nov 15: 2nd Standard Bank Pro20 International, SuperSport Park, Centurion.

Nov 20: 1st MTN one-day international, Wanderers, Johannesburg (d/n)
Nov 22: 2nd MTN one-day international, SuperSport Park, Centurion
Nov 27: 3rd MTN one-day international, Sahara Park, Newlands, Cape Town (d/n)
Nov 29: 4th MTN one-day international, Sahara Oval, St. George’s, Port Elizabeth
Dec 4: 5th MTN one-day international, Sahara Stadium, Kingsmead, Durban (d/n)

Dec 16-20: 1st Castle Test, SuperSport Park, Centurion
Dec 26-30: 2nd Castle Test, Sahara Stadium, Kingsmead, Durban
Jan 3-7, 2010: 3rd Castle Test, Sahara Park, Newlands, Cape Town
Jan 14-18: 4th Castle Test, Wanderers, Johannesburg.

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