South Africa's red-ball clash with Australia has England taking notes, from Pat Cummins worries to cracks in the Aussie armour.
South Africa's Proteas have helped write England's homework. Their Test battle with Australia has been watched closely in the England camp, because Ben Stokes' side will face both teams over the next 12 months. African cricket has set the stage, and England are studying the footage.
The biggest talking point is Pat Cummins. Australia's captain is the heartbeat of their attack, and any question over his fitness, workload or sharpness ripples through the whole side. If Australia lean heavily on one leader to set the tone with the ball and the field, England will want to test how the unit copes when he isn't at his best.
The series also showed what works against Australia. Disciplined lines, patient batting and a willingness to grind through tough sessions can drag the Aussies out of their comfort zone. South Africa's approach is a template England can borrow, and the weaknesses it exposed are ones they will be eager to target.
South Africa pose their own questions, too. A battle-tested Proteas side with real pace and plenty of belief will be no easy assignment. For England, the lesson is clear: preparation starts now, and this series is the scouting report.
