Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes that the current side should set their sights on becoming the number one team in the world after the Ashes.

The Three Lions currently lead Australia 2-0 in the series and have the chance to retain the Ashes should they earn at least a draw in the third Test at Old Trafford.

"The sense of achievement is massive when you win the Ashes," Vaughan told The Telegraph. "However, this England team can also set their sights on the world number one spot held by South Africa. They are beating a team ranked number four in the world, who you could even argue would be behind Pakistan if they had all their players fit and available.

"But this England side have everything in their armoury to be the team of an era. No other England team have managed that. The 1980s were dominated by the West Indies and then Australia came along. This England team are very well drilled and have a chance to do something similar. South Africa are the best at the moment but over the next couple of years they will lose a number of very senior players. Guys like Jacques Kallis and Graeme Smith will not last much longer.

"England are not ready quite yet to replace them, but they have the potential. You could tell during the first Test against New Zealand in May that England had refocused. Knowing Andy Flower, he will be desperate to win this series handsomely but he will have in mind the bigger picture of getting to number one."

England face Australia in the third Test of the Ashes on Thursday.