England now have a genuine chance of beating Australia and snatching the Ashes next summer - with a little help from Yorkshire's growing band of Test stars.

That is the expert opinion of Yorkshire's director of coaching, Martyn Moxon, who is also England boss Duncan Fletcher's right hand man for the one-day internationals this winter.

The mighty Aussies extended their world record winning sequence of Test victories to 13 today when they completed a five wickets victory over West Indies in Adelaide.

But those impressive statistics don't faze Moxon.

"To beat the West Indies in a series last summer for the first time since 1969 and then go to Pakistan and take a series off them in their own country for the first time in 38 years was a magnificent double achievement," he said.

"If we had been beaten in Pakistan then England's successes against the West Indies would have been called a fluke," he added.

"But the stunning victory in Karachi last week, the first by a touring Test side on the ground, showed that it was no flash in the pan.

"If England can win in Sri Lanka later this winter then confidence will be sky-high at the start of next season and I am optimistic that we now have the ability to beat both Pakistan and Australia in the summer.

"A tough and durable England side is beginning to take shape and I am delighted that Yorkshire players are forming a part of that framework."

Nobody in Pakistan did more for England's cause than Yorkshire all-rounder Craig White whose career over the last 12 months has seen an astonishing transformation at England level.

A year ago, White appeared to be a Test discard until he was suddenly called up from club cricket in New Zealand to help England out of an injury crisis in South Africa and Zimbabwe and he excelled in the one-day internationals in both countries.

So highly did Fletcher rate White that he amazed everyone by giving him one of the 12 central contracts on offer, but White's fortunes dipped again when, first, injury ruled him out of the home series against Zimbabwe, and he was then found unconscious in a gutter in his home town of Scarborough after suffering a mystery collapse.

But White bounced back against the West Indies and five-wicket hauls in the last two Test matches marked him out as a fast bowler of the highest calibre.

He was an automatic choice for the tour of Pakistan and, as well as continuing his good work with the ball, he weighed in with some outstanding batting, which amazed those observers who have not always followed his progress with Yorkshire too carefully.

Having rapped out his first century for England against the Pakistan Cricket Board's XI, White rescued his country with a scorching 93 in the first Test and further good performances meant that he came home second only to Michael Atherton in the batting averages - and with nine crucial wickets also to his name.

"I know that Fletcher rates Craig very highly and he has responded to the faith that both Duncan and skipper Nasser Hussain have shown in him," said Moxon.

"I think he feels very comfortable now in the England surroundings and I expect him to have a long and successful Test career ahead of him."

Moxon also praised Darren Gough for working hard on difficult pitches and never giving up.

"Pitches out there are not helpful for fast bowlers, but Darren kept running in and doing the job he was asked to do which was being a strike bowler.

"He's a 120 percenter, 'Goughie', and although it was frustrating for him at times he gained his rewards in the end and came home with ten Test wickets at only 26.80 runs apiece."

Moxon said that Michael Vaughan was desperately disappointed not to play a part in the Test series because of a persistent calf strain, but he would not be too down about it for very long.

"Michael will be looking forward to being a part of it in Sri Lanka and a good series there will put him back in the frame. Get a few runs under his belt and away he will go."

While the remainder of the England squad returned home to a few weeks off, Vaughan was in serious training by Thursday and determined to get right for Sri Lanka later next month.

"I will be doing plenty of running, cycling and swimming to build up my calf muscles and then I will be getting down to some batting and bowling," he said.

Like Vaughan, Matthew Hoggard did not play in a Test match in Pakistan but only because there was no available place for the young and willing apprentice.

He did, however, excel in his two first class matches on the tour, grabbing a total of 17 wickets at an incredible 7.76 runs apiece and putting himself in line for a central contract next spring.

"Matthew did everything that could have been expected of him and he will feel very much a part of the England set-up despite not getting a Test chance," said Moxon.

"He is a handy bowler for England to have up their sleeve, however, and if the ball swings around a little more in Sri Lanka then he may make it into the side."

All four Yorkshire players on the tour of Pakistan could be involved in next summer's battle for the Ashes - and two others may also be knocking on the door.

Chris Silverwood and Ryan Sidebottom are both included in the England 'A' tour of the West Indies ,which starts next month under the captaincy of Mark Alleyne.

"Chris will be working desperately hard to gain England recognition once more and Ryan is already well thought of by Fletcher and could easily be in contention for a place if he does exceptionally well," said Moxon.