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London - Shane Warne has likened England to the successful Australia side of which he was a key member after seeing Andrew Strauss's men thrash India in the second Test.
England crushed their opponents by 319 runs with more than a day to spare at Trent Bridge on Monday to take a 2-0 lead in the four-match series following a 196-run first Test triumph at Lord's.
If England at the very least maintain that advantage over the next two Tests they will replace India as leaders of the ICC's Test Championship table and leg-spin great Warne is an admirer of the 'Poms' recent performances.
"England are improving and have a hunger for victory," Warne, 41, wrote in Tuesday's edition of The Daily Telegraph.
"They have a good team spirit and, as Andrew Strauss says, they can still improve. Don't forget they were 124 for eight on day one of this game.
"But most impressive about England was how aggressively they approached the situation," he added.
"When Australia were on top and dominating world cricket, the things we wanted to do were score fast, take the game away from the opposition and intimidate the tail.
"England are doing all those and showing qualities that will make them number one if they continue to play like this.
"At times the pitch looked flat when India were bowling but, by showing intensity, aggression and a lot of hunger to be the best in the world, England demonstrated what could be achieved."
Meanwhile former England captain Nasser Hussain was in no doubt about the quality of the current side, proclaiming in the Daily Mail: "They are the best England team I have ever seen."
Hussain cited Tim Bresnan, only called up at Trent Bridge after fast bowler Chris Tremlett was injured, as proof of England's progress.
Bresnan scored 90 batting at number eight in the hosts' second innings on Monday and then the Yorkshire seamer took a Test-best five for 48 as India collapsed to 158 all out.
"Tim Bresnan is the perfect example of how outstanding England have become," Hussain said.
"When he was first picked he was thought of as a good, honest trier and a bits-and-pieces player. Now look at him... He is bowling quickly and with nous, and he looked like a proper batsman yesterday (Monday) too.
"These are good times for England. And they will last for a while yet."
