England captain Michael Vaughan defended his team on Wednesday, promising that they would fight back from defeat to produce a revitalised display in the fifth and final Test against South Africa.

Vaughan, whose side were crushed by 191 runs in the fourth Test to go 2-1 down in the series after being in a good position on the first day, told a news conference: "I'm sure if we get in that position you'll see a different team and a different approach.

"I think the bowlers will have learnt from the mistakes that were made, and the batsmen as well."

He said the team, severely criticised for a poor and negative display in the previous match, had analysed their failures at Headingley but added: "You can only talk so much, you can talk until you are blue in the face, but it's all about putting runs on the board and taking wickets in the middle.

"We just know if we can get in positions like that we can really nail down the South Africans. We full expect to come back strong.

"These are pretty near the Australians in term of personnel. It's a great challenge."

England, their bowling attack weakened by injuries, have struggled to keep pace with South Africa in all disciplines during the series.

They were saved by the rain in the first Test and won the third test at Trent Bridge after getting, as Vaughan conceded, the best of a poor wicket.

CLOSELY CONTESTED

But on Wednesday, Vaughan, who ended the fourth Test by blaming county cricket for producing mentally weak players, argued it has been a closely contested series.

"It has been close -- it's 2-1 with one to play," he said. "We had opportunities at Headingley and could have come here with a 2-1 lead.

"If we win here, the summer will end on a huge high. But for me personally, whatever happens here, I think it's been a fantastic summer for English cricket as a whole."

England, who beat Zimbabwe over two Tests earlier in the summer before winning a one-day tournament, cut their squad from 13 to 12 by releasing spinner Gareth Batty on the eve of the game.

The Oval pitch traditionally favours batsmen. Vaughan said the home team would choose between seamers Martin Bicknell or Kabir Ali on Thursday.

Vaughan welcomed the return of batsman Graham Thorpe to the side -- "he's a quality player" -- before saying he hoped England would give retiring wicketkeeper Alec Stewart a victory in his final Test.

"If any player deserves to be sent off with a victory it's Alec Stewart," he said.