James Taylor was delighted to hit form ahead of the upcoming one-day international series with a century against South Africa A.
The 26-year-old hit a run-a-ball 116 in an England total of 368 for seven, and Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid and Reece Topley all took three wickets as the hosts were bundled out for 205 in Kimberley.
A 163-run win represented a near-flawless warm-up for Eoin Morgan’s side at the Diamond Oval, and Taylor was pleased with his starring role.
“I felt pretty good to be honest,” he told ecb.co.uk. “It was a pretty slow surface so it took a while to adjust, but once I got going it was really good and it helped that the boys at the other end played exceptionally well.”
Jonny Bairstow hammered a quick-fire 58 and there were contributions all round as all nine England batsmen who strode to the middle reached double figures.
Great way to start this leg of the trip! The boys were outstanding all day! Can’t wait to start the ODIs pic.twitter.com/qVwKAIBoxe
— James Taylor (@jamestaylor20) January 30, 2016
Taylor added: “It was a really good workout for everybody – everyone got in and spent some time at the crease and the lads played pretty well as a whole which made it a lot easier for myself.
“It was really nice to spend some time out there and the match before the series starts is always nice to spend some time in the middle and the boys have done that as well as myself.
“Everybody spent some time in the middle and the boys have done exceptionally well – to get 370 on that slow surface is a great effort.”
Taylor featured in all four Tests as England beat the Proteas 2-1, but insists the switch of formats was straightforward.
“Sometimes it can be tough; we do it all the time in county cricket so you’re kind of used to it,” he said. “It’s more a change on the mental side of things than the technical.
“I feel really comfortable. It’s a great bunch of lads and we’re enjoying each other’s company.
“We’ve won a few series and it’s good to be a part of – I know it’s going to be an epic series and hopefully we’ll come out the right side of it.”
England have beaten World Cup finalists New Zealand, taken champions Australia to a decisive rubber and thrashed Pakistan on their own patch in the last three series, and Taylor confirmed confidence is high.
“We’ve come up against some tough opposition in some very different conditions,” he continued.
“We know it’s going to be a real challenge but we’ve come up against some good opposition recently and we’ve done really well.
“Fingers crossed I know this is going to be a big challenge but we’re more than up for it and we’ve got the talent in the side so hopefully we can pull off a great win again.”
Source: ECB