Rosalie Birch column

By Rosalie Birch England all-rounder

Success is always sweet, but it was even more so when we won the one-day series against India 4-0.

We enjoyed a well-earned beverage after the one-day series

After our 4-1 winter hammering in India, to reply with a whitewash was a great turnaround.

What has been pleasing is the way everyone has played a part in our success this summer.

We got into trouble on a couple of occasions but the sign of a good team is when it digs itself out of a hole - and we did just that.

As the old cliché goes, you're only as good as your last game and we were brought down to earth with a bump, losing the second Test narrowly.

Although it was frustrating to give India a victory to return home with, the main focus of women's cricket is ODIs, and this is ultimately what we are judged on.

We will not play a Test for some time now, with our focus shifting to the quadrangular World Series in February.

This will involve another trip to India, so we have encouraged the new girls in the team to eat the Indian food provided at games this summer.

The World Series is our chance to show the top three teams in the world just how well we can play

We found it hilarious how the Indians added their own curry paste and pickles because they found the food too mild.

But our players will not be laughing when their mouths are burning up in India!

Our lovely coach Richard Bates suggested a chilli eating competition to get some practice in.

I thought I would be fine, but my face turned a bright shade of red, my heart raced, and I began sweating - a lot!

The new girls seemed to cope well but I'm convinced there was some cheating going on.

I now have a season Down Under to look forward to, along with Jenny Gunn, Beth Morgan and Charlotte Edwards.

We will be playing grade cricket in Sydney, which should be brilliant for our development as players.

I can't wait to get some match practice and form after spending more time on the balcony than I would like!

The World Series is our chance to show the top three teams in the world just how well we can play.

Bring it on.