England spinner Graeme Swann is riding high after their Test series win over India, and is certain the Three Lions will be able to take their success forward and defeat Australia in the Ashes next year, not once but twice.

Swann, who took 20 wickets in the four Tests in India, hailed the historic win as one of his best memories, but said that winning the Ashes takes precedence over all other series for him. The England leg starts in July, while the Australian portion kicks off at the end of November in Brisbane.

Swann wrote in the Sun: "I'm already looking forward like an excited child to the back-to-back Ashes series in 2013. I just can't wait. The series win in India has given us the perfect launchpad for what should be another amazing cricketing year.

"There is no doubt we will fancy our chances of retaining the little urn when Australia arrive in the summer - and keeping hold of it when we go Down Under next winter."

Swann conceded that this year was not a vintage one for England, where they lost the number one Test ranking to South Africa and performed poorly in general. But he was delighted with the way they averted a total annus horribilis.

He said: "Let's be honest, 2012 had been a pretty average year for us from the standards we have attained and expect. We lost Test series to Pakistan away and South Africa at home.

"This was the series out of the whole year that people gave us least chance of winning. So there was massive pride and happiness in the changing room after going to India and becoming the first England side to win a series there in nearly 30 years."

The spinner then said he would be taking time off before facing the Black Caps early next year, using the break to get his body into tip-top shape again after a rough tour.

He concluded: "I have a lovely break now until we go to New Zealand in February. It allows me to sort out one or two niggles - I pulled a calf muscle while batting in Nagpur - and fully refresh and recharge for the year ahead."