Impressive victories at Headingley and Trent Bridge have put England in sight of an unexpected series triumph should they succeed in the third game of the five-match series at The Oval.

If they complete a hat-trick of victories over a South African side who had won nine successive one-day matches prior to the start of this series, it would be a notable triumph for new captain Kevin Pietersen.

But it would also perhaps mark a significant achievement for opening pair Matt Prior and Ian Bell as they attempt to halt the constant chopping and changing at the top of the order.

"It's obviously a new partnership but we've done well so far," enthused Sussex wicketkeeper-batsman Prior, who hit an unbeaten 45 and claimed a joint England record six catches in Tuesday's emphatic 10-wicket triumph at Trent Bridge.

"A bit like anything, it develops and you get used to running between the wickets and communicating to the point where it will just be a simple nod rather than a call.

"Things like that do happen over time and given the time I think, fingers crossed, it could be a good opening partnership."

If England are to progress and become a one-day side capable of challenging for major tournaments, they need the current partnership to succeed to provide stability if nothing else.

The latest incarnation are the fourth opening partnership tried by England in the 13 one-day internationals played this year and the sixth in 28 games since Peter Moores succeeded Duncan Fletcher as national coach.

They are still suffering teething problems, which was underlined in the opening victory in Leeds when they crawled to a 77-run stand in 20 overs with Bell failing to hit a single boundary in his 35 from 69 balls.

Prior, the naturally more attacking player, appears to have licence to play his shots while Bell is happy keeping the scoreboard ticking over which was demonstrated by the Warwickshire batsman playing a supporting role and contributing only 28 to an unbroken 85-run stand to win the game in Nottingham.

But Prior insisted they do not have preconceived roles, adding: "I don't think you can have defined roles in a match because there are just too many variables.

"We know what we want to do and we know where we want to be at the end of the powerplays and during the powerplays but on different wickets that might adjust slightly against different bowlers.

"There are times when bowlers are allowed to bowl well and they will have good days so there are times when you have to sit in.

"There will be days when Ian is absolutely on fire and hitting everything for four and there will be days when I'm clubbing around a little bit and getting ones and twos and vice versa."

LEGENDARY spinner Mushtaq Ahmed has played his last game for Sussex after confirming his retirement due to a knee injury.

The 38-year-old former Pakistan international – who last played for his country in 2003 – has been one of the driving forces behind the county's success during his six-year stint at Hove – taking a staggering 598 wickets in all competitions.

Mushtaq won three county championships, a C&G Trophy and the Totesport Division Two title during his time at Sussex but after a season plagued by injury, he has decided to call it a day.