Dravid impressed with England

Rahul Dravid backs England's new regime © Getty Images

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India captain Rahul Dravid says England have shown they have developed as a one-day international side in a short space of time under coach Peter Moores and captain Paul Collingwood.

Dravid led India to victory over England in the npower Test series before pushing the hosts all the way in the NatWest Series which finished 4-3 to England.

As he reflected on the disappointment of India’s seven-wicket trouncing by England at Lord's, in a match which failed to live up to its billing after a thriller at the Brit Oval three days earlier, he endorsed the future prospects of his opposing side.

Dravid sees rich promise in England’s emerging one-day side and admitted the hosts deserved their NatWest Series win.

But his proviso is how well they may adapt to challenges on the sub-continent - notably in Sri Lanka next month and, much further down the road, the World Cup in 2011.

“There are a lot of youngsters in this team who are doing well,” Dravid said.

“I also think the kind of squad England had was really well-suited to the kind of conditions we had here in England.

“It will be a challenge to see how they do when they go to Sri Lanka and looking to the next World Cup.”

Paul Collingwood celebrates winning the NatWest Series with England © Getty Images

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Dravid was naturally disappointed to lose the series and says his side still have a number of areas of their game that they can improve on in the future.

“We won three and lost four (in the NatWest Series) - so I guess we weren’t that consistent,” he said.

“There’s no doubt about it. It’s pretty evident there are things in one-day cricket we can improve on.

“Our 'death' bowling, our batting - especially when we lose early wickets - our fielding. These are all things we must look to improve but what’s been heartening for me right the way through these 80 days we’ve been here is that there have been contributions all around.

“Everyone who has come on this tour has contributed and played his part in a good team performance. It’s not a team that has relied on one or two individuals to perform.”

Dravid now hands over the reigns to Mahendra Singh Dhoni for the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 confident that despite the NatWest Series defeat, India are potential winners of the tournament.

Eight of those involved in the NatWest Series will be taking part - and Dravid has no doubt crowd-pleasing wicket-keeper batsman Dhoni is the right man to lead them.

“I have told him to just relax and have fun,” Dravid said.

“In a Twenty20 game, he probably won’t have much time to think - it happens so fast. But I think he’ll do well. He’s got a good head on his shoulders and a good personality for the job.

“Obviously wicke-keeping and batting will be a challenge for him, with the captaincy. But what he has shown us in the last two years is maturity.

“There are some very good attacking players. Although some of the experienced players are not going, we have some others coming back with experience.”