Brits hope to heal wounds
Monday, 17 November 2008
Unless England arrest their alarming slide, which began in Antigua, continued in Mumbai, and plunged to new depths in Rajkot, they are in danger of being steamrolled by Mahendra Singh Dhoni's clinical outfit which executed a 158-run victory in the first one-dayer.
The upshot for England is that it will be relatively easier for them to improve on their previous effort, while India will be challenged to reproduce a performance as devastating as the one in Rajkot.
Touring sides face several tests in India. The common ones bandied about are difficulties in adjusting to the climate, the environment outside hotels, and the playing conditions: several Australian cricketers, for instance, were ill during the recent Test series.
However, the biggest challenge is overcoming a formidable opponent in conditions tailored to its style of play, reports Cricinfo.
Indian batsmen have always flourished at home but recently their fast bowlers have become more effective on flat pitches by learning to reverse swing the ball. Fielding used to be a weakness, but the average age of this squad is 24 and they are fleet-footed, safe, and accurate.
England's limited-overs form, before the three massive defeats, was excellent. They beat South Africa 4-0 at home and their coach Peter Moores said they needed to play the same quality of cricket in different conditions in India. Their bowlers in particular need to find the right length quickly, especially against an opening pair that will attack from the outset. Ground once ceded is hard to regain. England bat deep- Stuart Broad is at No 9- but there is little their batsmen can do if they have to chase 300-plus totals on a regular basis.
The upshot for England is that it will be relatively easier for them to improve on their previous effort, while India will be challenged to reproduce a performance as devastating as the one in Rajkot.
Touring sides face several tests in India. The common ones bandied about are difficulties in adjusting to the climate, the environment outside hotels, and the playing conditions: several Australian cricketers, for instance, were ill during the recent Test series.
However, the biggest challenge is overcoming a formidable opponent in conditions tailored to its style of play, reports Cricinfo.
Indian batsmen have always flourished at home but recently their fast bowlers have become more effective on flat pitches by learning to reverse swing the ball. Fielding used to be a weakness, but the average age of this squad is 24 and they are fleet-footed, safe, and accurate.
England's limited-overs form, before the three massive defeats, was excellent. They beat South Africa 4-0 at home and their coach Peter Moores said they needed to play the same quality of cricket in different conditions in India. Their bowlers in particular need to find the right length quickly, especially against an opening pair that will attack from the outset. Ground once ceded is hard to regain. England bat deep- Stuart Broad is at No 9- but there is little their batsmen can do if they have to chase 300-plus totals on a regular basis.