James Anderson has revealed he is using the crushing disappointments of England’s World Cup campaign to spur him on in the current one-day international (ODI) series against Sri Lanka.
Anderson and England head to Leeds tomorrow 1-0 up in the series following Tuesday’s 110-run win at The Oval where Anderson took four for 18.
It was a different England from the one that was knocked out of the World Cup by Sri Lanka in the quarter-finals and which previously had been beaten 6-1 in the series in Australia.
Anderson’s one-day form was poor — he was dropped during the tournament — and he was a shadow of the bowler who had helped England to win the Ashes.
“We know as a one-day team we have got a lot of improving to do,” Anderson told reporters following the match at The Oval. “We had a frustrating winter and hopefully we can use this as a spring board and move on from here. It was frustrating in the one-day format for the team and for me personally. I felt like I didn’t perform or reach the standards that I set myself. I was very disappointed and I am just glad to keep my place in the squad.”
“Whatever it was I have put it behind me — I did that at the start of the season. I have worked really hard, there are a lot of improvements I have to make to [my] one-day game and hopefully I can continue to improve and help us to win more one-day games,” he said.
Jade Dernbach took two wickets on his one-day international debut, backing up Anderson and the senior bowler is excited by what the Surrey man can bring to the England set-up.
“He [Dernbach] slotted in -fantastically well. He brings something different — he has got some tricks up his sleeve and he has got a lot of confidence,” Anderson said. “I didn’t see any sign of nerves, he just settled in really well.”
Tuesday’s win was the perfect start for Alastair Cook, who has taken on England’s one-day captaincy permanently after Andrew Strauss’ retirement form that form of the game.
Cook, who was not selected for the World Cup, scored just five in his first one-day international for more than a year, but the batting of Craig Kieswetter and Anderson ‘s bowling got England home.
However, the new skipper warned his side not to let their opening win go to their heads.
“It was a really good start, but let’s not get carried away,” Cook said. “We have got to keep our feet on the floor and get back to working hard before Leeds. A lot of good things come when you work hard and put the hours in.”
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