England in South Africa part one.

So England's cricketers have been in South Africa for a week already and its fair to say it couldn't have gone a lot better.

In the two warm up games they have competed in they have won both with ease, batsmen have scored runs, and bowlers have taken wickets, but what is most impressive is the ruthfulness of the team on the pitch.

And all of this without Kevin PietersenKevin Pietersen who has had further rest ahead of the first Twenty20 match on Friday against the best ranked side in the world.

The only draw back is the potential shoulder injury to Stuart BroadStuart Broad, however initial scans have shown the damage isn't too bad, and that he should play some part in the One Day series in a fortnight.

But lets not dwell on the negatives, the one problem with England's batting at the back end of the summer was a lack of a batting unit, with maybe one or two players getting a good knock, but the others floundering.

In the first match on friday against the Eagles; Andrew StraussAndrew Strauss (72) Jonathan Trott (87) and Eoin Morgan (67) contributed to a strong total of 297 for 7. The latter impressing with his destructive batting, his knock taking just 54 balls and including two maximums.

Trott on the otherhand played a patient innings and showed what England may have missed in the recent series with Australia, and then in the Champions Trophy last month.

In the second game against the Warriors today, it was again Strauss who led the way with a wonderfully crafted unbeaten 117 not out, compiling a big stand of 175 with Joe Denly for the first wicket. Denly himself getting some much needed runs with 82.

People will say that England are only playing small state sides, however it is this much needed practice that has been absent in previous tours, and with one still to go against South Africa A on Tuesday in Bloemfontein the batting is looking sound.

The same can be said for the bowling as all bowling members of the squad have had a run out. In the first game the wickets were shared around, with five bowlers taking two each, as England dismissed the Eagles for 109 with 27 overs.

In contrast the bowlers were made to work a little harder in the second match today, as the Warriors batsmen did well, setting England over 250 to win. However the tightness of the bowling was again impressive Tim Bresnan in particular only going for 40 from his ten overs.

It was the spin duo of Graeme SwannGraeme Swann and Adil Rashid though that did the damage, Swann finding good turn to take 3-26. It is certainly a tactic which England can exploit if the situation arises, as they do have two good spin options.

So on the whole one week in and very impressive, the main task will come on tuesday however as they meet a stronger opposition in South Africa A. England coach Andy Flower has to be pleased with his sides effort, but knows they have to maintain this form if they have any hope of competing with the Proteas come the One Day and Test series.

One week down, but the hard work starts now.