Ian Blackwell reflects on the 'toughest tour of all time'

Somerset all rounder Ian Blackwell reflected on his tour of Australia that came to an end over the weekend when England were beaten in the second VB one day final in Melbourne.

Despite enduring a baptism of fire against the two best one day sides in the world `Blackie' enhanced his international prospects with a number of impressive contributions, particularly with the ball and finished second in the England VB bowling averages just behind his fellow Ciderman Andy Caddick taking eleven wickets at a cost of 27.54 each

He told me: "Finally the toughest tour of all time has come to an end. There have been some very happy times and also times when the towel was nearly thrown in. It has been a good test of character, which started for me at the England Academy in Adelaide. That gave me an insight into a few things and taught me what to expect so I'm glad I completed that leg of the tour."

Regarding his own performances he told me: "My game has improved no end, and learning your trade against the best in the world has got to have a positive impact and I believe it has on me. My bowling has moved up two levels from where it was."

What about his batting.He told me: "I know that I haven't done justice to myself but I also now know that I can do it. One thing that has pleased me most is that at no stage have I ever thought I couldn't do it."

Referring to the tour overall he said: " We have learnt a lot from this tour and we do have a lot of youth in the squad with James Anderson, Andrew Flintoff, Matthew Hoggard, Owais Shah, Marcus Trescothick, Paul Collingwood, Simon Harmison and myself and we know that if all of us can stick together we can become a great side. It won't happen over night but the talent is there and it's tours like we have just done which is going to stand us in good stead for the future regardless of the result."

Regarding the next few days he told me: " It would have been great to have gone home to the West Country before going onto the World Cup but the ECB didn't want the squad to split up. I can see where they are coming from but I would have like to have gone home so we could leave the Aussie tour behind us and go to South Africa with a clean slate."

However for `Blackie' who is a very talented golfer going to South Africa early will have some consolation. He concluded: " We are having a few days in Sun City playing golf which I can't wait for. We played today and I must say much needed remedial work is required on my game!"