A single Test victory under his captaincy - and in a dead rubber at that - is all that it has taken for Kevin Pietersen to declare not only that England can win the Ashes next summer but that Stephen Harmison will spearhead the bowling attack and Andrew Flintoff will bat at No6.

Pietersen described himself as “absolutely knackered” after his frenetic first week in charge, but he looked in ruder health than the team press officer alongside him, whose complexion turned from grey to ashen as Pietersen lapped up questions with glee as though they were being delivered by Paul Harris.

Whereas Michael Vaughan, his predecessor, would have blocked inquiries about the visit of Australia in 2009 with something along the lines of “we're not thinking that far ahead”, Pietersen not only acknowledged that he had, indeed, been pondering the series, but was happy to share his thoughts.

“If we play like we did this week, we will beat Australia,” he said. “It will take a lot to do it, but this is the starting stage for us. The most important thing is to turn up for every single Test match with the drive we had this week. Every single session we have to improve and have no comfort zones at all.

“I have been doing a lot of thinking over the past few days about Australia - more than I would have done if I was still just a player, about the structure I want and to get guys into certain positions so they can grow used to their roles in the side and deliver the goods.”

Pietersen plans to spend the rest of the week with his family, out of the public eye. He may not be seen in person, but his words will no doubt reverberate around Australia more provocatively than the news of victory at the Brit Oval, built largely around the first-innings bowling of a restored five-man attack.

It was interesting that Stuart Broad, the fifth bowler, claimed as many as five wickets in the match, but the performance of the recalled Harmison captured the imagination to a greater extent. Pietersen revealed that he asked Harmison to come out of one-day retirement during lunch yesterday.

“He said 'we will see', but the travel and being away from his family is the problem for Steve,” Pietersen said. “I totally respect the man for the decision he made. It would be lovely to have him first change for us with the white ball, but you don't always get what you want in life.

“Big Stevie will be huge for us against Australia. You have seen how important he is this week. I am going to be looking after him the best I can, but also making sure I get the best out of him. He has experienced international cricket again and he loves it. I am definitely going to get the best out of Steve Harmison.”

Pietersen admitted that his biggest concern lies with the batting but expressed every faith in Flintoff to recapture former glories. “I am very happy with Flintoff at six and having the attacking option of the extra bowler,” he said. “I want Flintoff batting at six against Australia next year.”

The Oval performance was “not far away from being a perfect start” and had given an insight into the new “touchy-feely” style of leadership. The huddle may be out, but the gentle pat on the bottom is in. As Graeme Smith, the South Africa captain, put it, Pietersen is “more seen” than Vaughan.

“I certainly want to be a guy who talks to players and lets them know that I really, truly want them to do well,” Pietersen said. “It is really important to have that relationship where you really want to perform for your team-mates and coach [Peter Moores], and know they will do anything on the planet for you.”