The Oval in 1999 - an 83-run defeat consigning them to that unwanted title and a host of mocking barbs.

The only way was up. Cue Fletcher to start the revolution.

The Zimbabwean has reaped the reward for his hard work with a side that has flourished and come full circle in the six years between Oval outings.

Fletcher's start was ominous, with England 2-4 within 17 balls of the opening game of his tenure in South Africa.

But even in that situation the seeds were being sewn for the future.

A gritty innings by debutant Vaughan helped England out of their hole and showed that Fletcher had an eye for young talent.

Vaughan, like a number of England's present team, was drafted in despite not having the weight of runs on the countycircuit that players required for a call-up in previous eras.

Fletcher had seen something in the 25-year-old that he thought could be translated to the international arena and his faith was rewarded, as it has been more recently with the likes of Simon Jones and Andrew Strauss.

Those same players have also benefited from greater consistency in selection.

Going into the last match before Fletcher took over, England made five changes.

This summer, but for the injury to Simon Jones, they would have played five Tests without any.

No longer do England's selectors trawl the county circuit for men in form before dispatching them back after a run of low scores and no longer is a new face in the dressing room greeted by quizzical suspicion.

Fletcher and Cooley have nurtured England

That security in