Michael Yardy revelling in Ashes feelgood factor

Published on Tuesday 11 January 2011 17:46

The feelgood factor in the England team following their Ashes triumph has immediately rubbed off on the new arrivals for the forthcoming one-day series against Australia, according to spinner Michael Yardy.

Yardy is one of six new faces who arrived to join the squad in the immediate wake of the Test team's celebrations after they sealed their historic triumph in Sydney last Friday.

The spinner admitted it has been impossible for the new players not to be swept up in the emotion of their team-mates, but believes that is already proving a good thing as they prepare for two Twenty20 and seven one-day internationals against Australia.

Five of the new arrivals immediately tasted success when they helped the tourists to a convincing seven-wicket win over a Prime Minister's XI in Canberra on Monday, with Yardy claiming three wickets.

The Sussex skipper admitted joining a buoyant group had made easing back into England colours easier, in what was the only warm-up match before today's opening Twenty20 international at Adelaide.

"The boys are buzzing - obviously after winning a series like that they are going to be. It's nice to be a part of it. You fit in very well, it's a good environment to come into," he said.

"Everyone is really happy and enjoying each other's company. There is a lot of love in the group at the moment and whether that bring results or it's the results that bring the team closer together I am not too sure. But certainly everyone is happy.

"Everyone is willing each other on to do well, everyone was itching to see Belly score a hundred (against the Prime Minister's XI] and they were really pleased for him when he got there.

"There is a real feelgood factor about this team. It was nice for me to bowl well also. I have to bowl a fraction slower over here so it was a good start."

Yardy is set to play in today's Twenty20 in Adelaide when England will aim for a world-record eighth consecutive win in that format of the game.