Andy Flower is confident England remain on an upward curve in all formats following their 4-0 one-day series win over Australia.
England coach hails aptitude of players in all formats
Coach Andy Flower is confident that England remain on an upward curve in all formats following their 4-0 one-day series win over top-ranked Australia.
Home conditions clearly suited them, and the ICC's new regulation of a new ball at either end played into the hands of their seam attack in a cloudy and rainy mid-summer.
But even bearing that in mind, Flower can retrain his sights on the Test arena - and an eagerly-anticipated three-match series against South Africa - safe in the knowledge that improvements have been made in the 50-over format.
"I'm really happy not only with the result but with the way we played," said Flower on the day after England completed their trouncing of Australia with a seven-wicket win under lights at Old Trafford.
"It's important sometimes when you lose to evaluate yourself and how you played as well, and then the same when you win.
"Our batsmen have scored consistently and skilfully, and our bowlers have not only restricted Australia but have been able to take wickets.
"So the one-day package looked strong and organised and very well led by Alastair Cook, I thought."
England's batsmen tamed both a much-hyped Australia pace attack and the combined spin options of Xavier Doherty, opposing captain Michael Clarke, David Hussey and Steve Smith.
Whilst not on a par with the quality of the spin exponents from India and Pakistan that tormented them in sub-continental conditions last winter, Flower still feels that strides have been made.
"Certainly our guys are more adept at home conditions, of course, like most countries," continued the England coach.
Lessons learned
"But I also think we have learned some lessons, and players been good enough to continue their learning as individuals. It's been really nice to see how some of them are developing.
"If you look at the skill, some of it we have against their spinners - and last night is a good example of that.
"The way that (Ravi) Bopara, Cook, (Ian) Bell - not (just) last night but through the series - have played their spinners, one really exciting aspect we could identify is the fact that experienced cricketers are continually learning.
"That's really exciting for them, and rewarding for coaches to see as well."
England chose to rest their own first-choice spinner Graeme Swann, for the final two matches, to ensure some respite for his sore elbow.
James Tredwell replaced him on Tuesday, to significant effect, as he and medium-pacer Bopara shared four wickets in Manchester.
"It was nice to see Tredwell take Swann's spot and bowl as skilfully and cannily as he did," added Flower.
But he insists there is still room for improvement from the whole attack, adding: "To be quite frank, and I think (bowling coach) David Saker would agree, I don't think we bowled at our best. The bowlers would think that as well.
"You'll never be perfect, because of the nature of the game.
"We are human beings and will always drop catches. But it's important that we're always pushing hard and pushing our training hard - and that will never go away."
