Leg spinner Shane Warne and vice-captain Adam Gilchrist said England's run was proof they were building a formidable team.

"I think everyone in England's been saying 'bring on the Ashes' for 12 months, but they've been saying for the last 15 years," Warne told reporters in Melbourne ahead of Australia's second Test with Pakistan.

"They're obviously a very good cricket side...but we'll have to wait and see."

England won their eighth match against South Africa in the first Test in Port Elizabeth, following their home whitewashes of New Zealand and West Indies.

England last won seven Tests in a row in 1928-9. The world record is held by Australia with 16.

"It's a fantastic win for them. They've played great cricket, they've won eight test matches in a row now and it's a good team that does that against any opposition," Gilchrist said.

"I think they're shaping up as a very formidable opponent for anyone but there's a lot of time between now and the Ashes."

England, second in the world test rankings behind Australia and who have also won 11 out of their last 12 Tests, host their oldest rivals in a five-Test series next year.

Australia have held the Ashes since 1989, establishing a record sequence of eight series wins.