England coach Chris Silverwood has said that despite the series loss in all three formats against India on their recent tour, his players are going back with valuable experience in these conditions. England lost the four-Test series 1-3, the five-T20I series 2-3, and the three-ODI series 1-2.
Silverwood said that such experiences will come in handy for his players in the upcoming T20 World Cup to be played in India in October-November this year. He further said that English will be stronger when they come back here for the T20 World in the last quarter of the year.
“It was a good, competitive game and a good, competitive series throughout. I’m very proud of them, I’m proud of each and every player who has been out here. I’m proud of the effort and the attitude that’s been shown towards the game. I think we’ve learned a lot and from that point of view I couldn’t ask any more of them,” Silverwood, in an interaction with the British media on Monday said.
“We’ve got valuable experience for the T20 World Cup coming up, and if we look back at the Test series…the lessons they’ve learned, when they come back again they’ll know what to do and have a better game plan,” he added.
India will travel to England for a series of five Test matches in August and September and Silverwood said that England players will be keen on giving it back to Indian players in their home conditions.
“These experiences will stand them in good stead moving forward. When they play against India in England, that will give them a bit of spice to fight back with. I think they will. There’s a little time between now and then, but we’re looking forward immensely to the Test series in England. We always know it’s very competitive, with two very good teams going at each other,” he added.
The England players who have IPL contracts stayed back in India to join their respective franchise’s bio-bubbles, while the rest of them go back home to prepare for the New Zealand Test series.
(PTI inputs)
