England’s Alastair Cook hails ‘step in right direction’ after warm-up win

A relieved Alastair Cook felt England took a step in the right direction after a 172-run win against Australia Prime Minister’s XI on Tuesday.

England captain Cook fell for a duck off the second ball before fellow opener Joe Root was dismissed for just one run in an all too familiar poor start for the tourists.

We have a huge amount to work to do, but it’s a step in the right direction

Alastair Cook

However Jos Buttler posted 61, whilst Gary Balance chipped in with a innings of 56 and Michael Carberry notched 47 runs as England finished on 264-7 in Canberra.

The hosts could only muster 92 runs in response as Ravi Bopara finished with outstanding figures of 4-3 – and Cook hailed a long-awaited victory Down Under.

“It’s great to win; it’s been a long time coming,” said Cook. “It’s very important because we need to start winning.

“We have a huge amount to work to do, but it’s a step in the right direction.”

Buttler added: “Everyone is absolutely thrilled to get a win.

“I thought we played very well. We were up against it initially with the bat but Carbs (Carberry) and Gary Ballance got a good partnership.

“Then myself and Bressie (Tim Bresnan) got up to a challenging total and, after we took early wickets, it was always going to be tough for them.”