ADOPTING Australian qualities helped England triumph Down Under, according to former Leicestershire skipper Nigel Briers.

Briers, a stickler for firm resolve and self-belief, knows a thing or two about mental strength when it comes to aiming for the top.

The former County Championship batsman took over the captaincy at Grace Road in 1990 with an under-achieving team languishing in mediocrity after the departure of David Gower.

But with the discipline of the schoolmaster he has since become - Briers is head of sport at Marlborough College - he helped his club turn the corner to challenge for the league title and reach a Gillette Cup final.

And that is why the 45-year-old was so delighted to see Andy Flower’s England perform with such inherent stubborn confidence in Oz.

“To go to Australia and beat them in their own back yard is an outstanding achievement,” he said.

“Australia weren’t as good a side as they were 10 years ago, but that shouldn’t detract from the effort and application the English showed.

“In fact, I think the English players had something Australian about them and I think that was one of the most impressive things.

“Those words courage, mental toughness, ruthlessness are not words you usually associate with England teams - be it cricket or anything else.

“You can really associate those words with this English cricket team, and I hope that will generate similar attitudes in the future and that players coming into the side will continue to develop.”

Whilst Briers would not begrudge England’s players the opportunity to revel in their success, he insisted that those characteristics which were richly rewarded at the Adelaide Oval, MCG and SCG this winter must be retained, should the side wish to really make an imprint on global cricket.

And that trek to top dog status starts with the visit of world number ones India in the summer.

“It’s always been said that English players in whatever sport have that little bit of softness about them, or not delivering when it really mattered,” he said.

“People will look at the World Cup football and cite that.

“So the test now is when they play India and South Africa they have to keep it up.

“It’s great to be able to have a side you can look up to with those qualities in.”