Alastair Cook takes the positives from series defeat to India

By Harry Kemble in India Sunday, January 27, 2013
3:16 PM

Alastair Cook believes England’s young One-Day International side can take a lot of positives ahead of the New Zealand, despite losing 3-2 in India.

England won the final ODI in Dharamsala, thanks to Ian Bell’s 113 and the bowlers restricting India to 226, to restore some pride after losing the series in Mohali.

And with New Zealand around the corner, the 28-year-old captain pointed to the burgeoning relationship between the players and Ashley Giles as one area England can be happy about.

“Obviously, the relationship with Ashley Giles in his first series as coach,” he said. “All the players have been getting to know him and his methods and obviously that will grow as time goes on.

“We learned a lot about some players too. James Tredwell has had outstanding series, he just gets on with his business and produces the goods.”

“Steven Finn has bowled well again and Joe Root coming in, who wasn’t an original selection, has taken his chance very well.”

England were aware they needed to end the trip on a high to show how much the team have improved after two 5-0 drubbings versus India in 2008 and 2011.

“We’ve had a really good couple of years in ODIs, so of course we’re a little bit disappointed in the result of the series,” he added.

“Belly’s hundred today was outstanding. It sometimes is easy to talk the talk but to go out there and do it like he did is something we can take a lot from.”