Clear and present and dangerous

TIM Bresnan believes England are thinking more clearly and putting plans into practice better than the rest of the world under the "inspirational" captaincy of Andrew Strauss.

Bresnan, a vital component of England's ICC World Twenty20-winning team, has helped to establish a 2-0 NatWest Series victory over Australia – which indicates a seamless transition of the captaincy across the formats from Paul Collingwood to Strauss.

That certainly is the way Bresnan sees it as England prepare to wrap up the five-match one-day international series by taking an unassailable lead at Old Trafford today.

England's recent successes – they have won their last ten matches against varied opposition in all the formats – have been notable for the run-saving and wicket-taking tactics of Bresnan and the rest of the pace attack.

Bresnan does not subscribe to the theory that England are simply ahead of the game, but does believe they are carrying out skills such as cross-seam deliveries and slow bouncers better than the rest."We're not ahead of the thinking – it's quite easy to just bowl a cross-seamer. It's where you bowl it, and what situation you bowl it in. It can make a flat pitch unpredictable. That's where our clear plans and clear thinking have been a lot better than other teams."

Strauss deserves much of the credit, according to Bresnan – who cited the posting of a short-leg to see off Michael Clarke in Thursday's four-wicket win in Cardiff as an example of the captain's canniness.

"It was just inspirational captaincy – and that's what Straussy brings," he said. "He's done unbelievably in the last two games, and I'm sure he'll continue to do that."

The upshot so far is that England stand on the verge of significant revenge for last year's 6-1 thrashing at home to Australia in the corresponding series.

A win in Manchester would also mean England will have beaten the old enemy in their most recent tournaments and series in all three international formats.

Bresnan is sure that is down to England's high level of performance, rather than Australia struggling through a transitional phase – with several of their first-choice team out injured.

"They've got a lot of quality players. It just so happens we've played really well, and stopped them playing to their full potential," he said.

"That is what we set out to do at the start of the series.

"We've delivered our skills a lot better than other teams. That's all it is. We're carrying a lot of confidence, playing good cricket."

He is not even beginning to think yet either about a 5-0 whitewash to underline England's superiority, with next winter's Ashes increasingly central to the bigger picture.

"It would be good to take confidence over to Australia, but obviously the Ashes are a lot different to one-day cricket. It's nice to get in the winning frame of mind against any side, especially if you get on a roll like we seem to be at the minute. Long may that continue."

England will make a late decision on Michael Yardy's fitness. The all-rounder had to leave the field in Cardiff because of a groin strain but was able to train at Old Trafford yesterday.