Friday 22 April 2016 15:01, UK
Joe Root is confident England can build on a successful winter ahead of this summer’s visit of Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Root - ranked as the No 2 batsman in the world in the ICC Test rankings - helped England to ODI and Twenty20 series wins over Pakistan before a Test series win in South Africa prior to the ICC World T20 in India.
England suffered a heart-breaking final-over defeat to West Indies in the World T20 final but Root is focusing on the positives and hopes they can use their winter exploits as a platform to build on this summer.
"Obviously when you get to a final it's all about winning," Root told Sky Sports News HQ, live from a golf day at Woburn with fellow England internationals Ben Stokes and Stuart Broad.
"Unfortunately we were unable to do that but the effort we put in and the experience we have gained from that is going to stand us in great stead moving forward. A lot of guys have gained a lot of confidence and hopefully we can take that forward into an exciting summer of Test cricket.
"We've had a pretty successful winter with winning away in South Africa and getting to the final of the Twenty20 World Cup and there are a lot of exciting young players that are putting their name forward for selection for this Test series. And then when the ODI's kick in, hopefully we can take that form forward from the Twenty20 into that."
Root confirmed his first match since the World T20 will be the County Championship clash with Nottinghamshire, live and exclusive on Sky Sports on May 1.
With the season already underway, Middlesex opener Sam Robson has staked his claim for an England place after plundering 337 in two innings' against Warwickshire, setting a new Middlesex record for runs scored in a first-class game.
"The great thing about the County Championship and this time of the season is that it is a great opportunity for the guys to put their hands up and give themselves the best chance for the selectors to pick them," Root added.
"As part of the side that's what you want to see - guys scoring runs, taking wickets and putting you under pressure. Seeing the depth that we've got as a country, hopefully that will stand u in good stead and keep everyone looking to improve and take our side forward."
There has been widespread debate over the newly-introduced British Safety Standard compliant helmets after the ECB grilled Test captain Alastair Cook when he persisted with wearing the old style headgear.
Cook hit 127 not out in Essex's draw with Sussex on Wednesday while wearing the new-style helmet and Root thinks it is now time to draw a line under the issue.
"The rules are the rules and you have to get over it now," he said.
"There's no point moaning about it. That's what's happened and it's obviously going to be a little frustrating for a few guys who have been used to playing in a certain way and stuff but if that's the way it's got to go, we have to get to grips with it pretty quickly.
"It's good to see Alastair go and do that [score an unbeaten century] and it won't take him long to adjust even though it must be quite frustrating if you've been used to that for your whole career. But it's time to move on I suppose if they are the laws that are going to be put in place."
