Saturday 24 January 2015 16:33, UK
England coach Peter Moores believes his team is starting to take shape ahead of next month’s World Cup.
Since returning for his second stint as national coach, Moores has seen England lose 13 of their one-day internationals and win only seven.
The current Tri-Series in Australia has also been a mixed bag, with an emphatic win over India sandwiched by two defeats to Australia.
But Moores knows his side will be judged on their performance in the World Cup with everything else just preparation work for the main event.
"I said at the very start that it was our job to try to get the best 15 players on the plane for the World Cup, and there was pressure on time to try out the things we wanted," he said.
"We've been on this path to try to get where we wanted to and the goal here was to try to get settled quickly and have a settled side for the World Cup. That battle hardening and match readiness is what you're looking for.
"It feels as though we're settling quickly now as a side.
"The fact that a senior man (Ian Bell) banged out 180-odd in a practice game and then 141 against Australia is great.
"The captain (Eoin Morgan) has got 121 against Australia at the SCG, which is great. Steven Finn has got a five-for, Jimmy Anderson's first game back and he gets four-for.
"Moeen Ali is developing rapidly as a spinner as well as a batter.
"So there's lots of things going round and I think they're starting to fit together."
The performances of fast bowler Steven Finn have been a particular source of encouragement for Moores following the Middlesex man’s struggles on the previous tour of Australia.
"It would be a huge boost for us if Finny gets back to where he was a couple of years ago," Moores said.
"Steven's gone through quite a journey and he's got to the point where he just wants to go and enjoy his cricket. He's in a good place
"He's very good performer, we know he's got a great record and it's credit to someone who's put in a lot of hard work."
Despite already losing to Australia twice in the Tri-Series, Moores is keen to have another crack at them in the final which England will reach if they beat India again on Friday.
He said: "We desperately want to get to that final and we've got a big game on Friday. If we get there we will feel that if we play at the top of our game it will be a really good contest. Third time lucky.
"They're a good side, there's no doubt about that, but so are we and we're starting to show that."
Watch England against India live on Sky Sports 2 at 3am on Friday.
