Ashley Giles begins England's tour of Sri Lanka as his country's premier spin bowler after his 17-wicket haul in Pakistan. But while it has been a memorable year for the Warwickshire player both on and off the field, Giles is level-headed enough to know that every series is a fresh start.

"It's been a pretty awesome year," said Giles. "I've got a little boy now, it was a great season for Warwickshire, and all of a sudden I'm in the England side again. It's been a great time, and I'm overjoyed. Let's just hope it continues for a while longer.

"I've been working hard on my fitness, and I'm looking forward to getting on with the cricket again. After having a successful time against Pakistan I just want to get out and bowl."

No England bowler has ever outperformed Giles' feats in Pakistan. He bowled a marathon 59 overs in the First Test at Lahore to take four quality wickets at the reasonable cost of 113 runs. At Faisalabad he applied the brakes on Pakistan by taking two wickets in three balls shortly before lunch on the first day, finishing the innings with his first five-wicket haul in a Test Match. And crucially, he strangled the Pakistan second innings on that famous final day in Karachi – three for 38 off 27 miserly overs as the home team subsided to 158 all out, triggering England's successful run chase.

"It's given me a lot more confidence," said Giles. "I went to Pakistan having played only one Test, and there were still a few nerves around. I've proved to myself now that I can take wickets at Test level. But I'm taking nothing for granted – I'll be starting again in Sri Lanka."

Now that Giles has delivered in one series, the expectations – on pitches expected to turn more than in Pakistan – will inevitably be greater. But he enjoys bowling there. "I've toured Sri Lanka before. The pitches do turn, so that gives me a chance and I'm looking forward to it. Sri Lanka have just lost in South Africa, but you can't go too much on that."

After Ian Salisbury failed to make an impression in Pakistan, Giles has two new spin partners in Sri Lanka. Both bowl off-breaks – Glamorgan's Robert Croft has been recalled, while Jason Brown of Northants makes his first senior tour. Giles believes the partnership will be a fruitful one.

"We've all got to pull our weight. Whoever plays, whether it's those two or me and one of them. Hopefully we'll all work hard together in the nets, and talk about their batters, and socialise together as well. It's important for the whole side for us to be successful."

No England player made bigger strides forward in Pakistan than Ashley Giles. He has the technique to succeed in Sri Lanka, and the temperament to contribute fully to his team's burgeoning spirit.

© CricInfo Ltd.