England’s talk show to find a winning formula for success in India

Nov 26 2008 by Myles Hodgson

ENGLAND’S desperation to find a formula for success in India prompted them to cancel practice plans and instead thrash out a solution at a team meeting.

Despite making impressive progress as a one-day side in recent years, winning in Australia and Sri Lanka and beating South Africa at home, they are yet to crack the secret of success in India.

Two years ago under former coach Duncan Fletcher they slumped to a 5-1 series defeat having lost the first four matches in the series and face the prospect of a similarly emphatic defeat this time after four successive defeats.

But in an attempt to break India’s run of success, England broke with tradition and instead of heading to the Barabati Stadium, where they will play today’s day-night fifth encounter of the series, they chose to discuss a solution to their situation.

"We’ve not performed well out here," admitted Middlesex batsman Owais Shah. "We’ve beaten some big teams on the way like winning in Australia, Sri Lanka and beating South Africa last summer and we’d like to think we’re progressing as a side.

"My personal belief is that we have better cricketers in the team than when we were last here, guys have come in and performed under pressure and we’ve got a lot more match- winners in the team.

"The results have not gone our way in India, but we have to keep working and adapting."

Part of that process continued at the team’s hotel in Bhubaneshwar when the team chose to discuss their options rather than practice.

"We had a team meeting and we thought we should talk about and identify areas that have not gone quite right," explained Shah. "I think the guys thought we would get more out of discussing particular aspects of where we have gone wrong and try and put them right. Everyone feels they are hitting the ball okay and the bowlers feel all right – you’re not going to forget how to play your shots overnight just because you don’t practice for one day."

The tourists hope the change of routine can also provide the spur to ending their long wait for a century in this series with Shah’s 72 during Sunday’s defeat in Bangalore remaining England’s biggest innings.

"We need to get hundreds," stressed Shah. "Whoever gets in on the day has to be the man to kick on. I’ve been happy with the way I’ve been striking the ball but it takes the gloss off it when we’re the losing side.

"We’re looking for a formula. Whatever form it is, if we can come up with a win then that’s all really that matters."