Tim Ambrose has vowed to bounce back from his unhappy time in the recent NatWest Series with New Zealand - and has his sights set on securing an England spot for the 2009 Ashes.
The Warwickshire wicketkeeper scored only 10 runs in the five-game series, which the Kiwis won 3-1, and came in for criticism for dropping opener Jamie How off a skier in the final clash at Lord's.
But Ambrose is determined to put that setback behind him when the Test series with South Africa gets under way at the same venue on Thursday.
He said: "It was very disappointing not to get in there and give myself a chance to influence the games in the one-day series with the bat.
"I had worked really hard and that was a big disappointment. I've spoken to a few people since and they've told me it is just the way the game goes sometimes.
"For me it was basically the one-day series that never was because I never really got going and now I just have to brush that aside and continue with the Tests against South Africa.
"To be fair, I thought I kept really well. I know I missed the chance at Lord's that got away in the wind but I don't drop too many of them."
Ambrose knows competition is waiting in the wings from the likes of Matt Prior and Phil Mustard. But he is not contemplating the prospect of being dropped as he looks to do well enough to be selected against the Australians next summer.
He explained: "You are always aware of the competition out there because there are a lot of cricketers trying to play in every position in the England side. From my point of view, I don't think about the prospect of being dropped because that is something that is out of my control.
"I've got half an eye on the Ashes series because my family are planning to come over from Australia for that one. It would be nice to be playing for England in front of my family.
"I think everyone's dream is to play in the Ashes and it would be great if I ended up playing in 2009."
Ambrose is aware just how quickly the momentum can change against opponents as demonstrated by the Test and one-day series with the Kiwis. He said: "Momentum was a big influence during the Test series because from a strong position, New Zealand lost the game at Old Trafford and that was the key moment of the series.
"It was also the same in the one-dayers but the other way around. At Bristol, we faced a realistic run chase to go 2-0 up in the series and never made it and we found it difficult to come back.
"That was a real eye opener for me and showed just how intense international cricket can be."
