Jaffer, Laxman, Kumble will adapt easily - Robin Singh

Robin Singh, India's fielding coach, believes Anil Kumble, Wasim Jaffer, and VVS Laxman, Test regulars, will have no problem adapting to conditions despite a lack of match practice.

They [Kumble, Jaffer, Laxman] are as keen as others to go out and do well in the coming matches," Robin said before India's tour opener against Sussex at Hove.

While Jaffer and Kumble played the two-Test series in Bangladesh, Laxman last played a Test in January against South Africa at Cape Town. After he was left out of the World Cup squad, Laxman pulled out of the South Zone Ranji one-day tournament stating personal reasons.

Robin said that performances in the practice matches mattered because it gave the team management an idea of the players' form and confidence. "The practice game, not only this one, but the next one at Chelmsford as well, is important from the team's point of view, it gives us a chance to watch all the players before the Test matches.

"We have been preparing as well as we can for this tour and these two games is a good chance for us to make the polishing. Hopefully, the weather will stay clear." He pointed out that unlike in the ODIs against South Africa in Ireland where India struggled to have 11 fit players, the team was now facing no injury worries and that all the players were fit and raring to go.

Robin was also happy with the progress the players had made with regard to their fielding skills. "We are really working it out at the nets and the effort is showing gradually on the field."

After playing a four-day game against county champions Sussex, India travel to Essex to play the England Lions in a three-day game at Chelmsford before the first Test at Lord's on July 19.