England opener Marcus Trescothick wants his teammates to draw inspiration from last year's Ashes triumph and forget the subsequent loss in Pakistan during the Test series in India starting next week.
"We have been through some great things in the last couple of months," Trescothick told Reuters.
"A lot of confidence has come from beating Australia and that will stand us in good stead here," he said on Wednesday.
The tourists are chasing their first Test series victory in India for 21 years on spin-friendly Indian pitches.
England won six straight Test series, including their first series victory over Australia since 1986-87, before losing 2-0 in Pakistan.
The 30-year-old Somerset batsman was in excellent form in both the series, scoring 431 runs in the Ashes before notching 296 from three Tests in Pakistan, led by a 193 in Multan.
He also compiled 240 runs to emerge as England's highest run-getter on the last trip to India in 2001-02, which they lost 1-0.
Trescothick said the players did not adapt quickly in Pakistan, but felt the experience would help in India.
"The batsmen didn't get big runs first up in Pakistan, which you are expected to do in the sub-continent," he said.
England last won a Test series in India in 1984-85 under the captaincy of David Gower. They play three Tests and seven one-dayers this time with the first game starting on Mar. 1.
Trescothick said good first innings totals would be crucial.
"It's a vital part of the game, isn't it, in this part of the world," he said. "If you only get 350 in the first innings, you are always on the back foot."
| |||||||||||
Trescothick, yet to get a Test hundred against India after being dismissed for 99 on the last tour, said there was no extra pressure on him this time.
"Whether it is myself at number one or Geraint Jones at number seven, we are expected to get runs," he said.
However, he said patience on slow pitches was the key to his success in the sub-continent.
"I enjoy playing against spin," he said. "Also I rely on myself to be able to bat for long periods of time.
