Woolmer predicts England will struggle in Pakistan

But, after such a remarkable achievement, Woolmer has warned his native country, for whom he played 19 Tests, it may be difficult to reproduce the same levels of intensity.

The former South Africa and Warwickshire coach said: "Can you get up again after such a fantastic Test series? It was a team effort for them to get up for that, can they get it together again in a different country?

"Sometimes it's very hard when you've been on such a high and to produce that sort of momentum again will be very tough."

England will also have to adapt to the vastly differing conditions of Pakistan, which Woolmer believes are unique in world cricket.

He said: "The great thing about coming to Pakistan is it's very different to anywhere else in the world. The local conditions and the weather will make a difference, the pitches will be very different as well. I think the actual surfaces, although they're pretty good to bat on, they're very different to any we've found in the world."

Duncan Fletcher would like to see his England side play a World XI if they manage to supplant Australia at the top of the world rankings.

"I think it is a concept that should be looked at again," he said. It would be very nice for England to play such a side."