I can not think of anybody who would have expected such a young and inexperienced team to pick up two trophies in their first two competitions. I could not have asked for a better baptism, particularly in the way that we beat South Africa three times.
The selectors went for youth and during the five weeks we were together we improved match after match. That’s not to say we are anything like the finished article, far from it.
The original target remains and still is the 2007 World Cup, but the way we have progressed in such a short time encourages me to believe that by the time it comes around, we have every chance of having a very competitive side. But I am not getting carried away because this side still has a long way to go, just as I have as a captain.
All I know is that I have enjoyed every minute of it so far and now I have a few months before our next matches to reflect on where we have gone so far and where we have to go in the future.
There have been many pluses so far, but none has been bigger than the return to the international fold of my Yorkshire colleague Darren Gough.
Goughie had been written off, but that is always dangerous with a player of his calibre. I knew he would be a great asset to the team and so it proved as he returned to show that he is still a world-class bowler.
Everybody has played their part so far, but special mention must be made of man-of-the-series Andrew Flintoff. Freddie was exactly what I expected him to be – exceptional with bat, ball and in the field. Now he’s set himself a new benchmark.
As for my own form, I was never worried that being captain would interfere or be a burden. Early season, I just wasn’t playing well and then I kept getting out for 30-odd. But things have turned round again and now I can look forward to facing the South Africans in the Test series.

by Martin Hardy on behalf of ISM