In his first assignment as the limited-overs coach, Ashley Giles saw England suffer a 2-3 loss to India but he says it was “not a disaster” and the series has been a “good learning” experience for his “fairly inexperienced side“.
“We have done pretty well with a fairly inexperienced side — 3-2 is not a disaster,” he said.
“We did not win the series but we have learned a lot. Certainly I have learned a lot about this level and as the tour has gone on I have become more and more myself.
“It has been an enjoyable tour, playing cricket in these beautiful arenas, and while we are disappointed to lose, we have learned a lot,” he added.
Giles was pleasantly surprised by all-rounder Joe Root’s performance as he impressed in his Test debut in December and also had a fine run in the ODI series.
“I didn’t know he could bat as well as he has,” said Giles. “He had all the ingredients to show that he could bat really well. He just looks at home and he’s the sort of player with which English cricket is in good hands.
“Joe’s had a fantastic first tour and has developed game on game into someone who is playing all forms of the game.”
Another player that caught Giles’ attention was Kent spinner James Tredwell, who snapped 11 wickets for England in the one-day series.
“It just gives us great options — I don’t see at some point why you couldn’t play two off-spinners in the same side,” Giles said.
