Alastair Cook is raring to get back to international cricket in the West Indies this month after being dropped for England's abysmal Cricket World Cup campaign.
The England Test captain made way in the 50-over format following a poor spell of form with the bat, but he was able to find some positives.
"It has been a different couple of months from what I thought I would have," said Cook. "But every cloud has a silver lining, three months at home has been fantastic, living normal life again, I have not had that for long time.
"It has been really refreshing."
Cook leads England in a three-Test series against West Indies with the first Test on April 13 in Antigua, and he knows it is important the team hit the ground running.
It is also not lost on the 30-year-old that he needs to start scoring runs again to cement his place in the side.
"A lot has gone on since win over India [in August]," he added. "To get back [to that level] will be a challenge, but it is up to players and me and Mooresy [coach Peter Moores] to do that.
"I have to score runs at the top of the order to set up England wins, runs at the top of the order always make England a harder side to beat.
"I am paid to score runs and I would love to get back to lifting up my bat again."