England has not only defeated South Africa 3-1 to retain the Basil d'Oliveira trophy but also learnt a success template on how it can go about regaining the Ashes in Australia in less than two years' time, skipper Joe Root said. 

Root's men failed to get back the urn last summer at home following a drawn five-match series, either side of overseas losses in the Caribbean and New Zealand. But this emphatic win over the Proteas has provided a major confidence boost, leaving the skipper reassured of success down under.

Read Also: Not the way I wanted to end the career, says Philander after Proteas loss

"There is a huge amount of Test cricket still to be played between now and then but it gives us confidence and knowledge of how to perform on wickets that might be slightly similar," Root told reporters looking at the Ashes 2021-22. 

"We have got to look to keep getting better and keep developing. We still feel sky is the limit for this team and that we’ve got to keep looking to improve."

"We’ve obviously performed extremely well in these last three games but as a side, over the last couple of years, we’ve not been consistent enough. We are very open about that and we have an opportunity now to build on this tour."

England, currently third in the World Test Championship points table after five wins, three losses and a draw, next travels to Sri Lanka for a two-match series before facing West Indies and Pakistan at home. 

"We’ll try not to look too far ahead but we’ve got a great template to work around and it’s nice to see it falling into place," Root said. 

Historically, English teams travelling to the Aussie shores have been found wanting against the hosts' intimidating fast bowling stocks and being short of quality, wicket-taking bowling themselves on non-seaming decks. 

"That’s something we have struggled with in the past when we’ve been abroad," Root admitted. 

(Inputs from Reuters)