Wicket-keeper Paul Nixon believes England's triangular series triumph in Australia has laid the perfect platform for a World Cup assault.
England went some way to erasing the misery of the 5-0 Ashes drubbing by landing their first major overseas one-day trophy in nine years.
The squad arrived home today after four straight victories - three of them against Australia - and Nixon is confident they can take that momentum into next month's World Cup in the West Indies and rattle a few cages.
'It means the world to win that trophy,' said Nixon after landing at Heathrow.
'It was a test of character. There are a lot of guys who have taken a lot of criticism - some just, some not just.
'It is nice to get some momentum going forward and sow a seed of doubt into the opposition's mind that we are good enough.
'It very much sets a platform for the World Cup.'
England took three months and 13 matches - five tour games, five Tests, a Twenty/20 and two one-day internationals - to win their first match on tour.
But they completed a remarkable turnaround to not only reach the Commonwealth Bank Series final but then beat Australia 2-0 to win the best-of-three series.
Nixon said: 'It was very special. The guys have worked so hard and the proof is in the pudding.
'We gave it that little bit extra at the end and things worked out well for us. I am just delighted.
'It means the world to win that trophy. There are a lot of guys who have taken a lot of criticism - some just, some not just but it is a test of character.
'And I am so pleased the guys who have been out there for three months have something worth coming home for which is great.'
There is no danger of the Leicestershire keeper resting on his laurels after waiting until he was 36 for his international debut.
The World Cup squad will be announced on Wednesday afternoon and Nixon is certain to be included having secured his place as England's first-choice wicket-keeper.
'It will be an exciting day tomorrow. A World Cup is a dream at my age, 36,' he said.
'A lot of Australian guys are retiring at my age but I have stayed fit and I am enjoying it.
'Alec Stewart set the benchmark playing international cricket at 40 years of age and hopefully I can do the same.'
