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| February 15, 2006 | Wednesday | Muharram 16, 1427 |
England have no chance in India: Kambli
MUMBAI, Feb 14: Vinod Kambli, a scourge of England bowlers in the past, believes Michael Vaughan’s men will suffer heavy losses during their current two-month tour of India.
Kambli, better known as Sachin Tendulkar’s childhood friend, averaged 105.66 in three Tests against Graham Gooch’s England in 1993, including a double century in the final Test in Mumbai which triggered a 3-0 sweep for the hosts.
The left-hander, now 34, told the Mumbai-based Mid-Day on Tuesday he could still take a century off the current England attack — provided they agreed to allow someone to run for him between the wickets.
“Like there is a super-sub facility, there should have been a super-runner rule because I could get a hundred off this attack on one leg,” said Kambli, who last played for India in 2000.
“I don’t think England stand a chance out here.
“They have a good set of quick bowlers in Andrew Flintoff, Steve Harmison, Matthew Hoggard and Simon Jones, but I don’t think they will have an impact on the series. Our batting power and wickets will ensure frustration.
“As for their spin attack, they have to be careful not to play the new boy Monty Panesar. I fear for him.”
England, who play three Tests and seven one-dayers during the two-month tour, are without seasoned left-arm spinner Ashley Giles who is recovering from a hip surgery.
The three spinners in the touring squad — Shaun Udal, Panesar and Ian Blackwell — have played just three Tests between them.
Panesar, a 23-year-old Sikh left-arm spinner in the Bishen Singh Bedi mould, is on his first international tour after scalping 46 first-class wickets for Northamptonshire last season.
Kambli acknowledged that England played superbly to win back the Ashes from world champions Australia, but insisted it would have no bearing when it came to tackling India.
“They went to Pakistan after winning the Ashes and it did not make a difference to the Pakistanis,” he said. “I don’t see it making a difference to India as well.”—AFP
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