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Kevin Pietersen believes the actions that saw him lose the captaincy were key to England retaining the Ashes.
Pietersen resigned as skipper in January 2009, after his attempt to have coach Peter Moores sacked made his own position untenable.
Andrew Strauss and coach Andy Flower have been behind the revival but Pietersen said: "We would not be here today if I had not done what I did."
"I got rid of the captaincy for the good of English cricket."
Victory in the fourth Test in Melbourne saw England retain the Ashes for the first time in 24 years, and a draw in the final Test in Sydney would bring a series win in Australia for the first time since 1987.
"There is no way in this world that we would have continued under that regime and won the Ashes again in Australia after 24 years," said Pietersen.
"Strauss and Andy Flower need all the plaudits for an unbelievable 18 months and an unbelievable preparation for this team, and they are the right leadership for this team.
"They are just very good at keeping us level-headed and grounded and solid."
Pietersen's own form has been vital as the batsman who had not scored a Test century for 18 months when the series began scored a career-best 227 and was named man of the match in England's first victory of the series in Perth.
Asked if Strauss was a better captain than him, Pietersen replied: "Who knows?
"All I can say is they have done an incredible job, and I am so happy for both of them."
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