James Tredwellhopes a refreshed Alastair Cook is ready to return to his best in the Test series against West Indies.
The skipper began the Caribbean tour with his first century in England colours for 18 months as his side came close to securing victory in their opening warm-up match.
Cook has spent the winter at home, after he lost the captaincy for the World Cup, and Tredwell suspects the break may have done his leader the world of good.
"He's probably been looking for a score like that for a little while so hopefully he can carry that into the next couple of days and further into the first Test,” Tredwell said.
"Everyone thrives on confidence so runs are always a good thing.
"He's been very fresh, he's had a bit of time at home doing his thing at the farm. Sometimes that refreshment can be key, hopefully that's the key for his captaincy and his form.”
England had needed only three more wickets when the players shook hands on a draw against a St Kitts and Nevis XI in Basseterre.
After Cook’s century – he immediately retired on 101 – Joe Root and Ian Bell registered half-centuries to allow England to declare at 379 for six.
The hosts were left with 35 overs to face in the final session, but nearly did not managed that as they slumped to 24 for six inside eight overs.
It was the second time in the match England had made quick progress into the St Kitts and Nevis order with Tredwell taking 3-25.
Liam Plunkett and Mark Wood, who were drafted in to share the new ball in the second innings, took a wicket each before Adil Rashid also struck.
Spinner James Tredwell is the centre of attention for the media after taking three wickets #EngvSKNXIpic.twitter.com/7x6m7S2ly6
— England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) April 7, 2015
The hosts held on in the end, to avoid defeat at 76 for seven, but England will be hoping for a tougher test when the teams begin a second two-day game at the same venue tomorrow.
"We'd have liked a sterner contest but you play the cards you are dealt and get on with it," Tredwell said.
"A little bit of a sterner contest would have been handy, but it's time in the middle for us.
“You don't necessarily want to start the tour with a long day in the dirt early on either.”
England meet West Indies in the first Test in Antigua from next Monday.
The upcoming two-day match will be their final preparation and the format of the contest has been re-jigged with England to bowl all of the scheduled 90 overs on the opening day regardless of whether the hosts are bowled out. Cook’s men will then bat through day two.
"The chat about Wednesday was that we would try and bowl for a full day to get the 90 overs in our legs, two or three spells for the bowlers, and bat on the last day for a long time,” Tredwell added.
“If we spend the whole day in the field it's probably more important than anything else.
"It's really about time in the middle and miles in the legs."
Tredwell appears to be in a head-to-head battle with Rashid for the spinner's role.
Rashid's leg-spin offers greater risk and reward, while Tredwell brings a steadier hand and consistency of performance.
He will hope those qualities stand him in good stead, but was disappointed to be largely overlooked for England's World Cup campaign only a matter of weeks ago.
"I felt I'd play a full part in what was coming up and when that didn't happen I was disappointed. I don't think I'm out of place in saying that," he added.
"Both Adil and I like to put a game on out there and leave it for other people to decide between us.
"But the ball is coming out nicely at the moment and I'm just hankering for the opportunity."