KOLKATA, Jan 12: England fast bowler Darren Gough feels fit and raring to go for the one-day series against India after taking a complete break from the game.

“I am just glad that I spent time home and rested,” England’s leading one-day wicket-taker told reporters at Eden Gardens on Saturday.

The Yorkshire bowler opted out of the three-test series which ended last month after complaining that he was exhausted after England’s hectic recent schedule, including the 4-1 home Ashes series defeat by Australia.

England arrived back in India on Friday after spending Christmas at home following their 1-0 test series defeat, and the tourists held their first training session on Saturday for the six-match series beginning at Eden Gardens on January 19.

The 31-year-old Gough will be vying for places in the side with all-rounder Andrew Flintoff and Andrew Caddick, who also skipped the tests.

“It is good to have competition. It is a challenge and I enjoy it,” he said, adding that his record as England’s highest one-day wicket-taker should be in his favour.

“My record speaks for itself. I have just overtaken Ian Botham but if I don’t (find a place straightaway) I will try to get back,” he said.

Gough, with 147 wickets in 80 matches, went past Botham’s haul of 145 wickets in 109 games last year and said he felt confident about his own form after doing well on England’s recent successful tours of Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

“India are a top quality side and Sachin (Tendulkar) is the best player in the world,” he said. “I did well in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. They were good opposition.”

Gough admitted, however, that England would have to play better than they did in their last one-day game in India.

“The last time we played here was at the World Cup in Ahmedabad (in 1996) and we lost,” he said, referring to a defeat by New Zealand in a group match.—Reuters