South Africa are the real benchmark for England

While winning the Ashes is the ultimate goal for England's players, in the current scenario, if they aim to be No 1, they have to play better cricket than South Africa and somehow match them consistently. That requires a stronger mentality, writes Michael Vaughan in the Telegraph. He adds that the recent Test series in New Zealand exposed shortcomings in Alastair Cook's field placements.

England's thinking in the field was schoolboyish at times. McCullum has been the complete opposite. He has known when to attack and used the right bowlers at the right times. One small example from this match. Stuart Broad hits a six and four but McCullum puts a man on the drive rather than spread the field. Next ball, Broad is caught driving.