Pietersen plots for Ashes

KEVIN PIETERSEN is predicting an England success in next summer's Ashes series if his side can continue playing at the same level they reached during his maiden Test as captain.

Pietersen was so impressed with the England players during their six-wicket triumph over South Africa in the final match that he is already sounding bullish, 11 months before the opening Ashes Test in Cardiff on July 8 next year.

"If we play like we played this week, we will beat Australia, but it's going to take a lot to do it," claimed Pietersen, who only became captain last Monday following Michael Vaughan's tearful resignation speech a day before.

England tour India and West Indies this winter and have a home Test series against Sri Lanka, but it is the challenge of taking on the world's best side which is already taxing Pietersen.

"I've certainly done some thinking about Australia next year, a lot more than when I would have when I was a player because you want to get the structure right, so guys can play in certain positions, feel comfortable, know their role and deliver.

"It will be important over the next nine months to learn their roles and then deliver."