Alastair Cook has admitted that England have taken a "few steps back" during the winter.

The opener said that it was disappointing to be whitewashed by Pakistan in the UAE, as well as losing the first Test match of the Sri Lanka tour.

However, the 27-year-old said that normal service was resumed in the second Test in Colombo.

"You never want to lose a Test so to lose four in a row was very disappointing," Cook told ECB.co.uk. "We set out this winter to crack sub-continental conditions, but we've learnt as a side again.

"We've taken a few steps back but sometimes you have to do that in your career.

"The [second] Test match was normal service. We batted long periods and gave a chance to our bowlers to rest up. It was a good way to end the tour with a win."

Cook scored 94 and 49 not out to help England win the second Test and earn a draw in Sri Lanka.