London, June 27 Star batsman KP is happy to accept much of the credit for England's enhanced team spirit and confidence during the past six months.

He says he likes being member of a happy team than skipper of an unhappy one, and adds that England are ready to beat Australia in this summer's Ashes, which begins at Cardiff on July 8.

"I'd rather be a player in a happy team than captain of an unhappy one. The hurt I felt at losing the captaincy has gone now because the team is so happy. Everyone knows how happy the England team is, how excited the boys are and how everyone has gelled since Andy Flower and Andrew Strauss have settled into their jobs," The Sun quoted KP, as saying.

"I believe that over the last six months we've made good progress and now we have a huge series against Australia. I'm very happy, everyone's happy," he added.

Pietersen ousted Moores because he was so convinced he was the wrong man to take England forward.

KP and other senior players regarded Moores as a journeyman with a clipboard - a bit of a cricketing Steve McClaren - who never played at the highest level.

Moores' response was to 'challenge' his players and work them ultra-hard without incorporating the subtle guidance and game plans necessary in Test cricket. He has returned to county cricket this season as head coach of Lancashire and is doing a good job.

Speaking at a Vodafone function, Pietersen added: "For a while, a lot of players weren't happy. And a lot of captains weren't happy, either. The progress made over the last six months - and fair do's to the two Andys, Strauss and Flower - has been fantastic." (ANI)