Michael Vaughan was on Tuesday preparing to lead England on an open-top bus parade through the streets of London to celebrate his country's first Ashes triumph in a generation - but he is already planning his team's next great challenge too.

Vaughan last night enjoyed the moment of triumph, alongside series-clinching batsman Kevin Pietersen, after a hard-fought draw at The Oval had seen off Australia 2-1 to win the Ashes for the first time since 1986/87.

But the captain acknowledges England's emergence as a force at the top of the world cricket rankings has to be consolidated - starting with this winter's trips to the sub-continent to face Pakistan before Christmas and then India next spring.

Vaughan doubts whether the furore of the 2005 Ashes can ever be approached again - however successful England go on to be in the years to come - but he is determined to try to bring his team's supporters the lasting success they crave.

"The response the public has given us throughout the whole summer means I am not too sure cricket will ever get to the same level again," said Vaughan.

"I hope it does and I play in many more like this - but it is unlikely.

"It has been an extraordinary team effort, and I am just the lucky one who picked up the urn."

World cricket is yet to see an official change in its power base, according to International Cricket Council rankings which still have Australia clear at the top - and Vaughan is prepared to accept this summer's beaten tourists are still top dogs.

"They have won home and away for a number of years, and we have yet to win on the sub-continent as a side. That challenge comes this winter in India and Pakistan," he said.

While Vaughan was sanguine enough amid the scenes of celebration to assess the merits of his side, Pietersen was in the middle of the best day of his life as the South Africa-born batsman's maiden hundred sealed England's success.

He struck 158 to defy Australia on the final day of a series which has tested nerves and skill in equal measure throughout.

The action was as fraught on Monday as at any time over the past two months, Pietersen's 158 keeping the Australians at bay long enough to preclude any hope of a last-ditch run chase.

The 25-year-old had luck on his side - not least when dropped at slip by his great friend and rival Shane Warne on 15 - but it was his contribution which put England out of reach during a final session which eventually saw Vaughan's men bowled out for 335.

Warne was to finish with 12 wickets in the match and 40 in the series - but Monday belonged to Pietersen more than anyone.

"I would be stupid to say I have ever had a better day," he said.

"That is the best innings I will ever play - with all the circumstances it would be difficult to beat that."

Pietersen was especially enthused simply to be one of a team which, under Vaughan - with the likes of tireless and hugely talented all-rounder Andrew Flintoff in its ranks - has developed a bond of togetherness as well as a winning knack.

"It is remarkable to be part of this England team," he said.

"Everybody loves being in each other's company. The whole summer has been fantastic."

When Glenn McGrath finally knocked back Pietersen's off-stump in the third over with the new ball on Monday he had seven sixes and 15 fours to his name.

As he walked off to a standing ovation, world record-breaking leg-spinner Warne was there to congratulate his Hampshire team-mate on his outstanding effort.

"It was a special moment when he ran over to me," said Pietersen.

"He just said to me 'Take this moment in, you have played a special innings, make sure you savour this and acknowledge all the people'. I got a lump in my throat."

Pietersen, Flintoff and the rest of England's emerging team have shown great resolve as well as skill to prove so many people wrong, after they went 1-0 down in the first Test at Lord's.

Vaughan's opposite number Ricky Ponting has noted that fact - although he too still rates his own side as the best in the world.

"England fully deserved their result. The truth is they outplayed us for all four Tests after the first one," he conceded.

"There are not too many regrets for us. But we have not played our best cricket, mainly because England have not allowed us to.

"I would still rank England second. We are regarded number one in the world for what we have achieved over a long period of time."

Ponting returns down under as the first Aussie captain to have lost to England since Allan Border - but he expects to keep his post.

"I can't say I expect it to be a great reception for us when we arrive," he said.

"All the guys have given it their best shot, we have just not played well.

"I don't feel obliged to reconsider my position."