Marsh took over as head of the ECB Academy in 2001

England selector and academy head Rod Marsh believes the country has the best coaching system in world cricket.

Australian Marsh, a 96-Test veteran, is to step down from both roles in September next year.

He told The Wisden Cricketer magazine: "The organisation of youth cricket in England is fantastic.

"All people ever do is put it down by saying cricket's not played in schools, but England has the best coaching system in the world."

England go into the series against South Africa looking to continue a run of seven successive Test victories, which marsh puts down to increased strength in depth.

"The best sides are those with players putting pressure on the first XI, who perform because they have to perform," said Marsh.

"If this happens, England have a genuine chance of beating the best in the world.

"We want a group so, if there's a need for a replacement, we have ready-made players to dip in. They're nearer the finished article than in the past."

Marsh was appointed to the newly formed ECB National Academy in 2001, and was the figurehead of a move to a state-of-the-art facility at Loughborough University.

"The introduction of the Academy was the culmination. It was the last building block," he added.

"It used to be hard to see what happened from Under-19 level through to international cricket; now, with Loughborough up and running, it's a smooth transition."