  |
 |
 Home Schedule News & Articles Scorecards Reports Statistics Photographs Venues Audio  England India Mumbai President's XI Indian Board President's XI India 'A'  Caught & Bowled Over Did U Know... Talking Point Nostalgia Wordsworth Darren Gough site  Cricshop India kit England kit India v Australia video  England India Official Sites Site Map Cricinfo Home |
Fletcher upbeat despite Hussain stomach bug CricInfo - 17 December 2001
England have arrived at Bangalore, where the final Test against India starts on Wednesday, with their captain Nasser Hussain convalescing after becoming the latest victim of a stomach bug. The virus also affected Mark Butcher and Michael Vaughan during the Ahmedabad Test, but both recovered within around 48 hours, so Hussain's availability for the final Test should not be in doubt. Meanwhile the England coach Duncan Fletcher was full of praise for the way the team stuck to their task in Motera, and singled out Ashley Giles, who recorded Test-best figures of five for 67 on his return from injury. "It's one hell of an achievement. It proved that Ashley has worked really hard at his fitness," Fletcher said. "That is the most pleasing part as other cricketers previously would have come here unfit. I can't believe how many overs he got through in the first innings and how well he bowled. From our point of view it justifies the decision to bring him out here." Fletcher also believes that confidence is high in the England camp ahead of the Test at Bangalore, where the pitch is expected to turn more than in either of the previous Tests. "Since I have been involved with this England side I have never known a period where that has come into question. The character is there, they are prepared to work in practices and get themselves right and lift themselves after a disappointing performance and it all comes down to team spirit. "I think we proved a point to some degree that we are no walkover. Having seen them not go for that target in Ahmedabad I think they must be a little wary of their position." Consideration of whether the Test squad should be altered at all for the New Zealand tour later in the winter will also occupy the minds of Fletcher and Hussain in the coming days. Amongst the names in the frames are those of Andrew Caddick and Robert Croft, who decided not to tour India because of security fears. Graham Thorpe, who flew home from India for personal reasons just before the second Test, will be given time to consider his availability for the Test tour and the one-day series which precedes it. "There is some doubt. But he might say he wants to get away and play some cricket," said Fletcher. © CricInfo Ltd.
|
  |