James Anderson has told his England team-mates to capitalise on an “amazing position” when the third Test against South Africa starts on Thursday.
The tourists lead 1-0 in the four-match series after their comprehensive win in Durban was followed by a draw in Cape Town.
The focus now switches to the Wanderers in Johannesburg, where England can wrap up victory over the world’s top-ranked Test side.
“It would be massive for us (to win the series), especially with the journey this team has gone on in a short space of time,” said Anderson.
“We’ve shown glimpses of being a world-class team but we have also been very inconsistent.
“But to get a win out here, somewhere South Africa have dominated for a long period of time, and a reason why they are number one in the world, would be huge for us.
“We are in an amazing position, to be ahead in this series with two games to go is an exciting place to be and we’re really looking forward to seeing it out.”
Johannesburg was the scene of England’s only defeat in a drawn series six years ago, a match in which Anderson finished with 0-111.
Not that England’s all-time leading Test wicket taker is overly concerned by those figures.
“Yeah, I have mixed memories here, but there are plenty of grounds around the world where I’ve got mixed memories,” he added.
Good to see @thecompdog back in training today after missing yesterday with an upset stomach #SAvENG pic.twitter.com/EXGibDt1a3
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) January 12, 2016
“It has been six years since we played here so it is nothing that is going to affect what happens.
“It’s about what went on in the last game and how the body is feeling; what sort of form you’re in and how the ball is coming out of the hand and at the minute it feels really good.
Anderson is happy with his own fitness, having missed the first Test in Durban with a calf strain but spent 211 overs in the field in Cape Town, with Nick Compton the only minor concern.
The batsman was the last member of the squad to pick up a sickness bug but, after missing the first training session of the week, was back in the nets on Tuesday.
“It’s not ideal to see him get an illness so close to the game so it’s nice to see him up and about and making a good recovery,” said Anderson.
“It is a concern and an illness like that can take quite a lot of out of you. But hopefully he can use his time wisely over the next couple of days to get 100 per cent fit for the game.”
Source: ECB