Sir Alastair Cook believes England’s Champions Trophy disappointment could prove a major blessing in disguise as Eoin Morgan’s side seek home redemption at this summer’s ICC Cricket World Cup.

England reached the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy on home soil two years ago but failed to fire when it mattered most, felled by eventual champions Pakistan as their wait for a 50-over title continued

But fast forward two years and this one-day side are a different beast in the eyes of the former Test captain.

England sit atop the ICC ODI rankings and head into this summer’s blockbuster as tournament favourites, a standing Cook believes they more than certainly warrant as they bid for their first World Cup title.

“These guys are out there pushing the boundaries, and I’m watching people who I played cricket with do that,” said Cook, speaking at the launch of the ICC Cricket World Cup Trophy Tour, driven by Nissan, where Nelson’s Column was transformed into a giant set of wickets as cricket took over Trafalgar Square to mark 100 days until the start of the tournament.

“It’s a side we can be very proud of, I don’t sit there enviously watching it – I just see guys who have taken the limits out of one-day cricket.

“There’s a we-can-get-500 attitude and that’s an extraordinary attitude to have. The best thing for this side was perhaps losing that Champions Trophy semi-final, in terms of preparation for the World Cup.

“In a bi-lateral series of three or five games you can afford to lose one but losing the Champions Trophy semi-final, and what they’ll have learnt from there, will hopefully leave them in good stead.

“Under pressure, in a semi-final or final, to be able to play that way they need to hold their nerve and do it. They’ll have looked at that as a missed opportunity and I don’t think they’ll do that again.

“I’m not envious of the firepower, I had a go in the side for four years and I take a great deal of pride in watching those players who are setting the trend for one-day cricket.”

Cook played nearly 100 international matches in the 50-over game but it was in the longer format where he ruled the roost, amassing 33 centuries and an average of 45 in an esteemed 12-year Test career.

His playing days are not done yet, but this summer will afford a watching brief for the 34-year-old, who joined the likes of Jimmy Anderson, Nasser Hussain and Graeme Swann in Trafalgar Square to celebrate the 100-days-to-go countdown until the World Cup begins on May 30.

The Essex opener last played an ODI back in 2014 but believes the perceptions of the format have significantly changed in the five years since – something which Morgan’s charges are reaping the rewards of.

“I think Test cricket, with our culture and tradition, was loved by our fans and players were always brought up on that format,” he added.

“It still is the pinnacle, but over the past few years the ECB and Andrew Strauss decided not to overlook one-day cricket and to give it its own importance.

“It wasn’t just Test players at the end of a series, it was people suited to one-day cricket – you can see the rewards of it.

“You’re getting 60 per cent of the side changing and having fresh ideas, with people coming in to focus on their one-day skills.

“We’re now looking and thinking that 500 in a one-day international could be possible for this team, it’s an exciting time.”

ICC Cricket World Cup Trophy Tour, driven by Nissan, commences 100-day tour of England and Wales and will be at over 100 locations and events before arriving back in London ready for the opening match on May 30