English team gets a feel of Indian conditions

By Nandakumar Marar

MUMBAI, NOV. 16. England spent its second day in the nets at Wankhede Stadium on Friday, getting a feel of Indian conditions against local bowlers, both spin and pace. A security blanket at the venue may have helped the visitor keep its mind on the job prior to its tour opener on Saturday. Cricket watchers and cricket administrators were outnumbered by lean men in khaki or mufti, a few armed with guns to keep trouble at bay.

Such unprecedented protection for a visiting side is understandable, keeping in mind the circumstances under which Nasser Hussain's squad made this trip, but will be of little help when it comes to safeguarding its cricketing reputation. England's two-day tour opener against Mumbai Cricket Association President's XI this weekend will only give the visitor a taste of things to come, at the end of which security may be the least of its concerns.

The all-conquering Australian's under Steve Waugh know how a tour opener against a Mumbai selection can be a nerve- shattering experience. The MCA President's XI, led by seamer Paras Mhambrey, can be expected to soften up the Englishmen for the onslaught when the Test series starts. Sameer Dighe is missing from the Mumbai line-up, but spinners Sairaj Bahutule, Nilesh Kulkarni, Rajesh Pawar and Ramesh Powar have enough talent and experience to trouble batsmen more established than this depleted English line-up, sans Michael Atherton and Alec Stewart.

England skipper Nasser Hussain was not available for comment, the team management deciding against media interaction after Thursday's interview session at the team hotel. Such a sterilised approach in the first stage of the tour may help the England batsmen focus on the game, but there is no doubt that the visitor needs to look within for answers. Reputations are made over a long time, respect earned through consistent performances in adverse conditions.

Watching videos of its performances against Pakistan and Sri Lanka on sub-continental tracks may be a better way for the likes of Mark Ramprakash to prepare than swishing bats against local spin and pace bowlers. England needs to produce men with courage and gumption, like Graham Thorpe, who will stand up and be counted when the team needs their services. This depleted squad needs more Thorpes if it is to make a match of it.

The reliable Surrey mainstay's Test average hovers near the 40 mark. After a century on debut against Australia in 93, he has been very effective on the sub-continent, batting under adverse conditions to help England achieve breakthroughs in the away series against Pakistan last year. Thorpe's consistency and mental toughness came to fore in Sri Lanka, hitting 59 and 46 in the second Test at Kandy to help draw the series. An unbeaten 113 in the first innings and another timely 32 not out in the second guided England to victory in the deciding Test.

Indian wickets are different from Pakistan or Sri Lanka, but similar climatic conditions ranging from the humid Mumbai to the chilly Mohali can only be overcome by adaptability. The Aussies went out of their way to get a feel of local conditions, wherever they went all over India. Hussain's team is not so fortunate due to security restrictions. The game against Mhambrey's side at Wankhede stadium may help it throw off a few of its inhibitions.

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