Andrew Strauss sure England will pass ultimate Test in South Africa

Nerve-jangling draws in the first and third Tests, either side of an innings victory in Durban, mean they are 1-0 up with one to play at The Wanderers.

England's hosts have twice been within one wicket of victory in three matches so far, though, and might easily have been the ones in the unbeatable position when play begins today.

South Africa have admitted a "result" pitch is being prepared – at a venue where draws are always scarce – amid hints of banking on pace domination to deliver the series-leveller they need.

For England, at stake are the aspirations of a team who have made a telling virtue of hard work since Strauss took over the captaincy – and Andy Flower the coaching – a year ago.

The tourists have been at pains, since they scraped their draw in Cape Town last week, to promise they will not be tempted to sit on their lead.

"At the end of the tour, a lot will be judged on whether we win this game or not," Strauss said. "We will be trying to win here and play the same style that has been successful before.

"If you go in with the mindset of only needing to draw it is very dangerous; you get negative, hesitant – and you can hand momentum to the opposition."

A shoot-out is in prospect between two potent seam attacks, and two strong batting line-ups.

There is likely to be no hiding place. But Strauss has no doubt that England have the firepower to prevail.

"We're excited about going out there and winning this game," he said. "We're confident we can take 20 wickets. We did that in Durban, but it won't be easy.

"This wicket might offer a little more for the bowlers, in which case there is pressure on the batsmen. We showed a lot of guts and hunger in the second innings at Cape Town and we'll have to show it again.

"It's a nice feeling to know we can't be beaten in the series, and that adds a bit to our camp. But South Africa don't want to be beaten either, and will come hard at us. We've got to be ready to withstand whatever they throw at us."

Success will be vindication of Strauss and Flower's new England, and the significance captain and coach place on team spirit.

After regaining the Ashes last summer, a limited-overs verdict here and with a Test series victory in their sights against a team ranked No 1 in the world up to little more than a month ago, Strauss is insistent about the benefits of the team ethos, but will never take it for granted. "We have made some strides forward in that regard. But I think it is arrogant to assume that is always going to be the case – it is something you have to work hard on and nurture and feel how important it is.

"It's great having a side full of 11 world-class players, but you can also have a side that is greater than the sum of its parts if you get the environment right."

Strauss senses an evolution from the days when he was one of a clutch of senior players who tended to run the show. "The team spirit is tangible. It is hard to influence it other than having the right sort of people around and trying to foster it as much as you can, and trying to include players in as many things as possible – rather than being top heavy with senior players, which I think we have been guilty of in the past.

"Three or four years ago, there were three or four senior players who did a lot of talking in meetings, and it made it harder for new guys. We've tried to be more inclusive of new players – not demand more of them but encourage them to say their piece, air their views and feel like they are an important cog in the machine. I feel that creates a better environment."

It is a recipe which has helped England dig in for those two precious stalemates so far in this series, as well as impressively take their opportunity to win when it came.

Strauss is convinced the Newlands experience can only play to England's advantage this week.

"I do know we felt like we got out of jail in Cape Town – and I know South Africa would have been very disappointed not to put the final nail in our coffin."