LONDON, Sept 17: Victorious England skipper Michael Vaughan has told his Ashes winning side not to rest on their laurels if they want to keep their places in the side. He paid tribute to the players who made up the first England side to beat Australia in 18 years many times this week.

But he added that he was hoping a new generation of talent will make the likes of Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen work even harder on the winter tours of Pakistan and India.

“Their places in the team are guaranteed only by their hard work, their willingness to do again what they did so magnificently when it mattered this last summer,” Vaughan told The Independent.

“You have to keep building and it’s so important we keep getting young players pushing the team and making sure everybody stays honest. That is what it is going to take to stay in the team.”

Meanwhile, England believe the country’s back-up players will perform a crucial role on this winter’s testing tour of Pakistan.

Chairman of selectors David Graveney stressed the importance of picking the right characters to supplement the team.

All 12 of the players who represented England in the Ashes are set to be named in the touring party on Monday alongside four other players, whose roles on the trip may be little more than bit-part.

That quartet will be made up of an understudy to wicket-keeper Geraint Jones, a second spinner, at least one fast bowler and possibly an additional top-order batsman.

There are plenty of individuals vying for a spot — a 17th name could be announced to stand by should Simon Jones need surgery on his ankle injury –- and temperament is viewed at the same level as ability by the current management.—AFP