London, Sept 04: England captain Michael Vaughan is confident his side had learnt from their mistakes and are ready to exploit every opportunity in the fifth and final Test against South Africa which gets underway today. Having failed to take command in the previous Test at Headingley when South Africa recovered from 21 for four and 142 for seven to reach a first innings total of 342 and their ill-judged decision to take an offer of bad light when they were progressing impressively in reply, England slipped to a 191-run defeat.

It means the hosts need a victory at the Oval to square the series, and Vaughan believes they are up to the task. "We want to come back strong, win this game and level the series. We discussed our performance after the game at Headingley and I just hope we get put in that position again," said Vaughan.

The lapses in concentration and fatal flaws in judgement caused the first real criticism since Vaughan succeeded Nasser Hussain as captain and prompted the Yorkshire batsman to urge his side to become more ruthless.

And he reiterated that message as his side bids to deny South Africa their first series win on English soil since 1965. "I'm sure if we do you'll see a different team and a different approach. Test matches at the Oval are generally tough games, the wicket is usually a Belter and you have to really work hard for your wickets.

"But the bowlers will have learnt from the mistakes that we made and I'm sure the batters will as well from the positions we were in. We just hope we can get into positions like that and really nail down the South Africans."

Bureau Report