Gunn targets Test triumph

Jenny Gunn collects her award after being named player of the NatWest Series © Getty Images

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England all-rounder Jenny Gunn is confident momentum will help the hosts seal a series victory over India as they prepare for the second npower Test at Taunton.

Having wrapped up the NatWest Series 4-0, England know that victory this week will see them win the Test series 1-0 after the opening Test at Grace Road earlier this month ended in a draw.

Gunn, named player of the series after dominating India with bat and ball, told ecb.co.uk: “It was brilliant to win the one-day series 4-0.

“It’s given us a real sense of momentum and we feel confident we can go out and clinch a Test series victory alongside the one-dayers.

“We want to win so I doubt there will be any major changes to the side.

“We have prepared the same as we did for the one-dayers and everyone is determined to end this series on a high, on a winning note.

“We go out to India in February and it would be great to go out there knowing we won the last match these two countries played.”

England’s success on home soil this summer is a far cry from their tour of India in 2005 when they drew the solitary Test and went down to 4-1 in the one-day series.

Gunn returned figures of 2-15 off 10 overs in the last ODI of the series © Getty Images

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Injuries and illness did not help England’s cause, a fact Gunn is keen to point out.

“This time we have had key players back and available, such as Laura Newton and Katherine Brunt, and on a few occasions out in India players went down with illness which didn’t help preparations,” she added.

“This series we have had everyone fit and well and had a full-strength squad to chose from, which has really helped.”

One of the most notable plus points for the hosts has been the form shown by the younger players in the squad.

The likes of Holly Colvin, Sarah Taylor, Caroline Atkins and Laura Marsh have all shown a maturity belying their tender ages, and Gunn has been equally impressed.

“There is a really good mix within the side,” she said.

“A good blend of youth and experience and all the youngsters that have come in have done really well and not looked out of place at all.

Sarah Taylor is a prime example: she has shown maturity beyond her age and looks a class act.

“This is now a confident, winning England side so it was a good time to introduce some of the youngsters, and they’ve shown that they are not intimidated by the big occasion.”

Gunn, meanwhile, is hoping to bring her fine one-day form into the Test arena and hailed the team spirit within the squad as a major contributor to the current feel-good factor amongst the players.

“I’m really happy with my form at the moment,” she said.

“I can’t complain at all because everything seems to be clicking. All my team-mates have helped me and it’s just a great side to be involved with at a great time.”