Brendon McCullum believes this summer's Ashes comeback has set the template for England's future and told his players: "We still have so much to achieve".
England rounded off a thrilling series with a dramatic Fifth Test victory at The Oval yesterday, the retiring Stuart Broad claiming the final two Australian wickets to fall as Ben Stokes's side levelled the series at 2-2 with a 49-run victory.
While the Ashes have again been retained by Australia, England emerge from the summer still on an upward trajectory under Stokes and McCullum, their entertaining, aggressive approach vindicated by a superb fightback from 2-0 down against the world champions.
"We have a certain style we try and exhibit every time we play," said McCullum. "The most pleasing aspect is when we were under the most pressure at 2-0 down we stayed true to that and were able to manufacture some results that allowed us to walk away at 2-2.
"I think for us, that is our best chance of winning. The skipper and I firmly believe that and some of the performances we've seen from some of the guys right throughout is testament to that."
England may still rue the Manchester downpour that denied them the chance to level the series heading into The Oval finale, with their next shot at winning back the Urn not until the winter tour of 2025-26.
However, McCullum insists that the progress already made since the change in leadership last summer offers reason to believe this is just the start for his team.
"We look at the growth of the team in the last 15 months," said McCullum, who along with Stokes inherited a side that had won just one Test in 17 matches. "You look back to when the skipper took over [and we asked] would we be able to take on a great Australian team and go toe to toe with them?
"I think the answer is yes and that's a tremendous confidence booster for the group, but also testament to the investment of all the guys who have really gone quids in with their belief in this side.
"[The next Ashes] are obviously a little way away and there's certainly different challenges to cross before then. But I'd imagine again it could be another cracking series when the time comes."
There are questions over whether many of the current crop will still be playing in two-and-a-half years’ time, but Broad and Moeen Ali are certain to be missing, both playing their final Tests at The Oval.
"They're two incredible cricketers but also wonderful people and great characters in the dressing room," McCullum added. "We'll miss them, no doubt but they have left a huge imprint on the side."
