ENG Women Embark On Tour Of India (07 Nov 1995)

Electronic Telegraph Tuesday 7 November 1995 Cricket

Women`s Cricket: Brittin leads way on Indian tour

By Cathy Harris

JAN Brittin, England`s most experienced, elegant and prolific woman batsman, opens the batting against Ghaziabad, near New Delhi today as the only player with experience of touring India.

She is the sole survivor of the under-25 team which toured in 1981, and knows that familiarity with the sub-Continent and her exceptional talent will be crucial to England`s success during the seven-week tour.

It is the first trip made by a senior England side and Brittin acknowledges the squad will have to adjust quickly to culture and food.

"I remember huge crowds of over 20,000 at Eden Gardens in Calcutta," she recalls, "and even in rural districts stands collapsed because there were so many spectators. The atmosphere is terrific - chanting, enthusiastic and appreciative.

"I`ll never forget scoring a century in New Delhi. I was mobbed when I came off the pitch and covered in garlands of flowers."

There will be no special food flown over for the side and Brittin, who admits she hates curries, says: "We won`t be importing tons of mineral water either. I imagine we`ll probably end up eating naan bread and chips."

Brittin, 35, has also represented England at indoor hockey and is renowned for athleticism in the field as well as having Test and one-day batting averages of just over 45.00.

A sales development co-ordinator for British Airways, she says she wishes she was a more extravagant when batting though admits: "I do feel obliged to build an innings and be responsible.

"In India the wickets are generally low and slow. I can`t see us blazing runs."

Helen Plimmer, Brittin`s opening partner, is one of nine players from the triumphant 1993 World Cup squad included in the party along with teenager, Clare Connor and Suzanne Redfern, 17, England`s youngest player.

Three Tests at Calcutta, Jamshedpur and Hyderabad and five oneday internationals should help Brittin score the 401 runs she needs to overhaul Rachael Heyhoe Flint`s England Test record aggregate of 1,594.

ENGLAND PARTY: K Smithies (capt), J Smit, J Chamberlain, S Redfern (E Midlands), B Daniels (W Midlands), J Brittin (Surrey), C Connor (Sussex), K Leng, D Maybury, S Metcalfe, H Plimmer, M Reynard, C Taylor (Yorkshire), D Stock, A Thorose (Thames Valley).

Source :: Electronic Telegraph