'Sri Lankans are there for the taking ' says Ian Blackwell ahead of Perth match

After enjoying the first sweet taste of success on their winter tour when they beat Sri Lanka at Brisbane on Tuesday morning, the England team have now moved onto Perth where they face the team from the sub continent again on Friday morning.

Ian Blackwell one of three Cidermen players in the victorious side shared his thoughts with me on that welcome change of fortune.

"Finally the first England win has come on Australian soil. It was obviously a much needed victory for all concerned which hopefully gives us much more confidence going into Friday's match," `Blackie' told me.

He continued: "Sri Lanka were quite poor by their standards but we did play very well. Of course there can still be improvements and I hope this young side can gel and become a much greater side by the time this tour has finished."

Talking about the new young bowlers he said: " I believe we have found two very good bowlers who could play regularly. Both James Anderson and Steve Harmison bowled with considerable pace that helped knock over their middle order."

Regarding his own performance he told me: "Personally the game went OK but it would have been nice to have cashed in even more in those last five overs. I probably would have if Mr Fernando hadn't pulled off the most remarkable blind catch I have ever witnessed!!!"

Looking ahead to the match in Perth he told me: "All the boys are upbeat and believe the Sri Lankans are there for the taking, especially without `Murali'. They seem to be a different team without him, and lack penetration in the spin department. Lets hope we can build some momentum now and put a run of wins together, starting Friday," a sentiment that will be shared by all England supporters.