NOTTINGHAM: Indian batsman Suresh Raina is looking to carry on from where he left off in the third One-day Inter­national against England at Trent Bridge here on Saturday.

The 27-year-old’s left-hander’s score of exactly 100 was the cornerstone of world champions India’s dominant 133-run win over England in the second ODI at Cardiff on Wednesday.

For Raina, it was his latest ODI success against an England side where his average now stands at nearly 48 in 29 matches compared to a career mark of 35 in 193 matches.

“The contest between England and India is always challenging. We did well in the last game so the atmosphere in the dressing room is very positive,” Raina told reporters at Trent Bridge on Friday.

“Everyone is looking forward to the next three games,” he said of a series that marks the start of both India and England’s preparations for next year’s World Cup in Austr­alia and New Zealand.

Reflecting on his dynamic 75-ball knock, featuring 12 fours and three sixes, Raina said: “It was good. God has been very kind. I love batting against England.

“I have done it in the past. When I played the first game against them in Faridabad, I got my first man-of-the-match.

“At the same time I am looking to the next game. I just want to continue my good form.”

Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2014