Vaughan: Flintoff and Harmison crucial
The England captain, Michael Vaughan, has promised his side will go on the attack in the forthcoming Test series against India
Cricinfo staff
12-Feb-2006
 |
|
England have their four fast bowlers - Andrew Flintoff, Stephen Harmison, Matthew Hoggard and Simon Jones - all fit but Vaughan has warned that one of them could miss out if conditions happen to suit to the slower bowlers.
With Ashley Giles missing through injury, England would pick two bowlers from Shaun Udal, Monty Panesar and Ian Blackwell; both Blackwell and Panesar have yet to make their debuts, and Udal turns 37 in March.
"Flintoff and Harmison could be crucial and having Jones back is a big positive - he is fit and well and raring to go," Vaughan said. "We will have to see what [conditions] we get but if the ball is swinging then we have an attacking bunch of bowlers and I would rather use them that way. The ideal is to play five bowlers who are going to get us 20 wickets.
"If we feel we need to use two spinners then one [of the fast bowlers] will have to miss out - we will just have to see what the surfaces are like."
Panesar could become the first Sikh to play a Test for England and Vaughan is excited by the youngster's potential.
|
|
|
"Spin is going to play a big part," he said. "I have not seen much of Monty Panesar, apart from the nets, but he is exciting and has a bit about him and is a good character. He looks like he has the ability to spin the ball, he gets good flight and he's got guile. I'm looking forward to working with him."
India lost to a rejuevanted Pakistan in the recent Test series, but Vaughan is expecting an improved performance from India on their home soil; they have lost just three series from the last 25 in 19 years.
"On home soil they are right up there - a really good team - and their record shows that," he said. "They have just lost in Pakistan but they will be a real tough nut to crack in India and we are going to have to play some real good cricket if we are to put them under pressure.
"I've been there a few times with England A, the Under-19s and on the last tour and it is hard but enjoyable cricket. There is nothing much tougher than facing their spinners on a dusty track in Mumbai or bowling at Sachin Tendulkar on a hard track. Playing in India is a tough challenge but we have overcome challenges when people have not expected us to do so.
"We want to try and win [in] India - it is something an England team has not done for a long time."
Vaughan returned home early from England's tour of Pakistan to undergo a second operation on his troublesome knee. Responding to Duncan Fletcher's concerns that the injury could persist for his entire career, he said: "It's fine. Until you've played a game of cricket it's hard to tell but I'm very positive about the knee. It feels as good as it's done for a long time so I don't see it being a problem. I feel strong."