Marsh's no-nonsense approach at the Academy is paying off

Academy graduates Ian Bell and Kevin Pietersen won man-of-the-match awards in the first two games and Marsh said: "It's more than healthy competition.

"It's getting to the stage where those in the side must play well every week.

"We really want people pushing from the outer so players have to perform or make way for the young blokes."

Marsh added that continuity was still a key factor in the England set-up.

"We don't want a big turnover of players, we want these young blokes to have to wait, which is what they are doing.

"It's not a bad thing that neither Bell or Pietersen are in the Test tour party for South Africa, it ensures they keep working hard."

I have not yet filled the Freddie role in terms of going out and booming it everywhere Kevin Pietersen

Meanwhile Pietersen believes his way into the England Test side may lie with his ability to bowl spin.

"I was a spinner who batted and then I came over to England and there were a lot of green pitches around and a lot of cricket so I think I fancied my chances more as a batsman," he explained.

"I would like to be an international all-rounder but I am not an idiot and I know I am not going to go and bowl Australia out with my off-spin - it is a case of doing a job whenever I am needed.

"I probably have let my bowling slip a bit, but I know if I am going to improve my chances of selection for England I am going to have to start working hard at my bowling, taking help and advice wherever I can."

The new Hampshire signing insists that comparisons with talisman Andy Flintoff are unfair at this stage of his international career.

"I have been told the role they want me to play, but I have not yet filled the Freddie role in terms of going out and booming it everywhere," he said.

"It is all about thinking on your feet and there was no way I could have walked out in that situation and started booming it."

Pietersen was also full of praise for the way Michael Vaughan and his team have welcomed him into the fold.

"It was just a case of fitting in and Michael Vaughan has been so relaxed, so helpful and so knowledgeable, it's been brilliant so far," he enthused.