England seek T20 revival in India
Friday, 28 October 2011
KOLKATA, India, Oct 28 (AFP): England are looking to end their dismal tour of India on a high note by winning Saturday's Twenty20 international in Kolkata to show they remain a major force in the shortest version of the game.
The reigning world Twenty20 champions endured an embarrassing 5-0 whitewash in the 50-over-a-side contests at the hands of Mahendra Singh Dhoni's rejuvenated home team.
A win Saturday in front of an expected full house of 60,000 fans at Eden Gardens will showcase England's firepower ahead of the defence of their World Twenty20 crown in Sri Lanka next September.
Off-spinner Graeme Swann, who had a modest return of two wickets in the one-day series, will lead the tourists in the absence of injured Twenty20 captain Stuart Broad and vice-captain Eoin Morgan.
Somerset's big-hitter Jos Buttler, who joins the Twenty20 squad along with Alex Hales of Nottinghamshire, said he was
excited about playing in Saturday's one-off match.
"Every international game is serious business, and with the Twenty20 world cup in the subcontinent next year, every chance you get to play in these conditions is one you've got to use," the 21-year-old said.