Wright's idea of the ideal bowling attack

Indian coach John Wright has said he favours two or three spinners and four seamers prior to the selection of the Indian team to the tour of Zimbabwe. Talking to reporters at the end of the second day of the preparatory camp in Bangalore on Monday, Wright said "I personally favour the inclusion of two or three spinners as well as four seamers for the team which would tour Zimbabwe. But the matter has to be discussed and gone through."

Replying to a question on skipper Sourav Ganguly's poor run in the recent series against Australia, the former New Zealand captain said it was only a matter of time before the Ganguly would regain his form. "Sourav is a world class player. He has got tremendous average in both forms of the game. Everyone goes through a lean spell. He looks very good at the nets and is working hard at his bating," Wright said.

Laxman, Ganguly eager to win a series abroad

The highest run getter in the recent series against Australia, VVS Laxman has said he was raring to go to help the Indian side to a series win abroad. The Hyderabadi batsman said "For a long time now, I've dreamt of being part of an Indian side that wins an overseas series." Talking to reporters during the training camp at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore, Laxman said "I'll be thrilled if I could play some part in helping the team win in Zimbabwe."

Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly said it was necessary for India to win away from home to establish themselves as a major force in international cricket. "We've got to win an away series. One win abroad will set right a lot of things," he said.

English players want Christmas break

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has requested the BCCI to split the forthcoming series into two parts against India later this year. The reason cited by the ECB is that the players want a break to go home and celebrate Christmas with their family and hence the request for change in schedule.

A BCCI source quoted by PTI said "The England and Wales Cricket Board has requested a 26-day break between the two series. "They wanted the Test series to be played from December 3 to 23 and leave for home on December 24 and be back in time for the one-dayers from January 22 to February 3, 2002." He added "The proposal will be discussed at the BCCI's technical committee meeting in New Delhi on May 16."

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