Jon Lewis has returned from South Africa determined to claim a regular place in the England Test set-up.

The Gloucestershire seamer received a late call-up to provide cover for Andrew Flintoff, Steve Harmison and Simon Jones during the fourth Test in Johannesburg.

After England went 2-1 up in the series, Swindon-born Lewis was in contention to play in the fifth Test at Centurion but was not named in the final XI.

Despite missing out on a debut appearance, Lewis took nothing but positives from his experience with the squad.

"I was just very happy to get the call-up to go out there at such short notice," said Lewis, who arrived back in England on Thursday.

"When I was named in the 13-man squad for the last Test I felt I had a decent chance of playing.

"The wicket looked like it suited me the ball was swinging a lot because we were well above sea level.

"It wasn't to be but I can't call it a disappointment because just being there was a bonus and a good chance to show everyone out there what I can do."

Now Lewis is targeting the England A tour of Sri Lanka next month as a showcase to keep him in the selectors' thoughts ahead of the next series against Bangladesh in May.

"I've got the A tour to Dubai and Sri Lanka starting February the 23rd," confirmed Lewis, who took 57 Championship wickets for Gloucestershire last season.

"It's going to be a busy tour and I've never been to either place so I'm really looking forward to experiencing the cricket out there.

"The tour takes me right up to the start of the season.

"It will act as a pre-season for me and help me get ready for the County Championship with Gloucestershire.

"If I do well on the A tour, go back to England and take some wickets early in the season, hopefully I can be in the frame for the Test matches against Bangladesh in May.

"The good thing is the coach is looking to keep continuity at the moment so now I've been in the Test squad hopefully I can stay there."

n Brian Lara produced a captain's performance in hitting a sensational 156 off 138 balls to help West Indies to a 58-run victory over Pakistan in the VB Series in Adelaide.

He had a little help from Shivnarine Chanderpaul (85).

YESTERDAY'S SCORES

VB Series Adelaide: West Indies 339-4 (B C Lara 156, S Chanderpaul 85), Pakistan 281-9. West Indies won by 58 runs.