CONTINUITY IS THE KEY TO OUR SUCCESS; Lamps calls for lessons to be learned from Aussies.

Byline: MARTIN LIPTON 

FOR Frank Lampard, the England equation is simple.

If you are going to be the best, you must be able to beat the best, ensure continuity of selection and not panic at every setback.

And while Fabio Capello may be baffled by the laws of cricket, Lampard suggested the Italian has already utilised all the lessons Australia's Ashes side are trying to teach Andrew Strauss' men.

Three years after Sven Goran Eriksson's England slunk back from Germany with their reputation in tatters, Capello named 12 survivors, including seven of the likely starting side, for tomorrow's friendly in Holland which begins the countdown to South Africa 2010. The difference, of course, is the mentality and direction Capello has instilled in a group of players who disintegrated psychologically in the aftermath of 2006, reaching its nadir with that nightmare evening against Croatia that spelled the end for Steve McClaren.

And for Lampard, a look at the squad at Capello's disposal, and the way the players have responded, are proof that at international level the cream will always rise.

"After a tournament like 2006 it was going to be difficult," said Lampard. "When you get knocked out like we did there is always going to be criticism and managerial changes and a lot of talk about needing new players.

"But look at the England cricket team after what happened at Headingley. It's the same thing - all of a sudden it's 'bring back Ramprakash and Trescothick'. It's understandable people look at other options but I think it's very important to have continuity, that's one of our strengths.

"We can learn and maybe have learned from French teams you earn your stripes to get into the England team.

"Again, going back to cricket, see what the Australians do. They play for years, then get into the team at maybe 25 and 26 and turn in world-class performances. Then you look at the Rooneys, the Owens and next maybe the Wilsheres who come through."

Asked who are the footballing version of Australia, Lampard veered away from the obvious choice of Brazil.

Insisting he was not currying favour with the man who will make the final decisions, he added: "Maybe the Italians. They might not be quite at their best at the moment but have a real strong mentality. We've an Italian manager, so hopefully it rubs off."

It certainly has so far, seven straight wins in qualifying meaning England can clinch their berth in South Africa next month against Croatia.

Tomorrow's test in the Amsterdam Arena, against the side ranked third in the world by FIFA and whom England have beaten only once in the past 27 years, will further gauge how far Capello's England have come.

CAPTION(S):

ITALIAN JOB We must pick up the manager's winning mentality, says Frank Lampard MOBBED Frank Lampard was Mr Popular, especially with the girls, after Sunday's game