Cook pleased to be back

Alastair Cook said he has missed playing competitive cricket © Getty Images

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England batsman Alastair Cook admitted he has missed the “vibe” of international cricket and cannot wait to get back into action in Sri Lanka.

Cook flew back to Sri Lanka with the rest of the England squad ahead of a three-match Test series next month.

England have enjoyed a break since winning a one-day series in the same country in October but, even though Cook welcomed the time off, he has had enough of waiting.

The 22-year-old said: “It’s been a really good break, I’ve really enjoyed being at home.

“It’s been good to see friends and family, it’s been very nice, but you miss that little bit of competitive edge.

“There’s only so much PlayStation or things on the computer or whatever you can do. You don’t quite get that same vibe going.”

Essex star Cook has made an outstanding start in Test cricket and averages 44.81 from 21 matches since his debut against India in March last year.

He accepts he is yet to truly establish himself in one-day cricket but, after featuring in the recent series win in Sri Lanka, it is something he is determined to do.

For now, however, his focus is firmly back on Test cricket after a short training camp in Loughborough.

He said: “It’s nice playing both forms of cricket. I’ve always said I want to play as much as I can and now it’s about consistency. I want to keep my place and do well.

Michael Vaughan returns to skipper the Test side in Sri Lanka © Getty Images

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“But we just have to concentrate on one thing, Test cricket, now. There are no one-dayers at the end we have to think about.

“It was a bit weird going back in and facing the red ball and having to leave the ball but it only takes about 10 minutes to switch back.”

Michael Vaughan takes over again as captain after making way for Paul Collingwood for the recent one-day series against Sri Lanka and India and the World Twenty20 tournament.

Cook is pleased to see the Ashes-winning skipper returning and hopes the team can build on their one-day success.

He said: “It was good to get the side back together last week and get Vaughan back.

“Everyone talks about Colly and Michael but between them there are no ulterior motives.

“We understand Vaughan coming in and it’s good to have someone like that, one of the best captains England has had, to wander back in

“We are going to need everyone pulling together, it’s going to be tough. We have to show the same belief we had in the one-dayers.”