Consistency the Key for Kevin Pietersen's England Side

So all is well in the England camp once again. We have a new captain with a first Test win under his belt and a one-day series win over the second rated side in the world. Couldn't be much better!

But why the sudden turnaround in our one-day fortunes? This is a team, after all, that not so long ago whimpered to a demoralising defeat to New Zealand in this form of the game.

Well, Pietersen himself is obviously a big factor. His enthusiasm and passion have, without doubt, stirred on a team lacking in any sort of self belief. He brings with him the kind of fresh optimism often associated with a new national football manager (although he's also brought results).

Along side him, we have his trusty steed in the shape of one Andrew Flintoff, a man who's injury worries seem behind him for the moment and whose bowling is better than ever.

There is certainly no more reliable death bowler in world cricket right now. Flintoff's batting is also showing signs of improvement, perhaps due to the added responsibility of filling the No. 5 spot in the order. Add to that his sheer presence on the pitch and it's bound to give anybody a lift.

The nucleus of the side is completed with one Steve Harmison who is one man that until a month ago, I thought I would never see pulling on an England jersey again. But, to Harmison's credit, he seems so rejuvenated and hungry for the success that had eluded him since 2005, and he fully deserved his chance and so far seems to be grabbing it with both hands.

You can never underestimate the importance of these three talismen, but a team cannot just rely on experience because experience doesn't always aid development. There must always be the youthful rough diamonds within any squad, and England seem to finally be getting their mix just about right.

First and foremost, it must be said that in the current one-day series, South Africa have been poor (or shocking at Nottingham). This does not take away anything from England's performances because the improvement has been there for all to see.

On top of that, the consistency in selection has been a massive plus. In three matches so far, Paul Collingwood for Ravi Bopara at Nottingham has been the only change in the England lineup. The likes of Samit Patel and Luke Wright have been given time to bed in and are starting to feel comfortable in their surroundings.

So often in the past, England have brought a youngster in from nowhere, given him the odd game, and then thrown him back in to county cricket without even a second glance. 

Added consistency at the top of the order is also a must. The debate has raged on for far too long about who is England's best opening pair and who can make the most of those power play overs.

Finally, I believe they have it right.

Matt Prior is a natural attack minded cricketer and is never one to die wondering. His consistency in getting 30 or 40 at the top of the order to get England off to a flier is invaluable.

Ian Bell is the one that some have wondered about. Yes, he's a classy player but has he flattered to decieve once too often. It's true to say that his conversion rate is shocking, but when he's driving and cutting his way to a classy run a ball 70...who cares! There are very few players in the world who can boast a healthy amount of one day international hundreds. Michael Vaughan didn't get one!

As long as you have the backup of Shah, Pietersen, Flintoff, and Collingwood with some very clean hitters of a cricket ball to come in later in the innings (Broad at No. 9), the openers should certainly be given time to learn about each others game and they will only get better and better.

On top of a healthy batting lineup, the bowling looks strong. With Harmison back, giving that extra firepower, we suddenly have a bowling attack in Harmison, Anderson, Broad, and Flintoff, that could spearhead us to Ashes glory next year, and to have Flintoff and Harmison there to bowl the middle overs of a one-dayer is added benefit.

The steady backups of Collingwood, Patel, and Wright makes for an excellent array of choice.

Special praise must be afforded to Anderson. He has spearheaded the England limited over attack for a good while now and the consistency is starting to shine through.

Anderson has been my player of the summer. Here's a man who seems to be constantly fighting for his England place, yet was leading wicket taker in both Test series and just as deadly in the one-day format. He can swing the ball both ways, which will cause anybody in world cricket problems—even if your name is Ricky Ponting!

All in all, the future looks bright for the one-day form of the game in England. Not since the heady days of the Gooch, Hick, Fairbrother era have we had much to crow about. OK, it's only one series. Things will be much more difficult on the slow wickets of India in the winter, but come on, we're England fans. We're always optimistic...aren't we?