England cricket team prepares hard for Edgbaston Test

August 9, 2011 | Sports | Written by

Edgbaston (UK), Aug 9: The England cricket team are preparing hard for the third Test against India beginning in Edgbaston on Wednesday.

English’s cricketers are aiming to knock the Indians off their world number one spot.

England currently leads the four-match series 2-0, and, if they win one more, they will become world number one.

Addressing mediapersons here, recalled middle-over batsman Ravi Bopara said he had learnt a lot about his game during the past two years and was determined to seize his opportunity provided to him.

“Yeah, I think I am a more rounded player. You know, I know my game a little bit more. You know it is amazing what you can learn in two years about yourself. Just when you think you have got it cracked, you suddenly realise that you have not and you have got a lot to learn, and yeah, I have learnt a lot over the last two years and I am sure I have got a lot to learn over the next, God knows, you know, hopefully five-10 years,” he said.

Bopara has replaced injured Jonathan Trott. The right-handed batsman has played 10 Test matches, the last against Australia in August 2009.

Responding to a question about his strategy for the upcoming match, Bopara said he aims to score big runs for the team in the match.

“Well, first of all I have got to get runs. Wickets help. You know that, that, that side to my cricket has definitely pushed me places, but the main thing is to get runs, you know. I want to get into the team as a batsman and let the rest take care of itself,” added Bopara.

He further asserted opponents like the India team should not be taken lightly.

“You know we have spun the ball around. We are kind of used to the conditions. It is very difficult pitch to come and bat in England especially when the bowlers are swinging it around. I think they have got a formidable line up, it is an experienced line up. They have got plenty of runs in the bank. Again you cannot take anybody lightly,” asserted Bopara.

Bopara averaged a respectable 33.46 in 10 previous Tests, He is expected to bat at five with Ian Bell replacing Warwickshire team-mate Trott at three after his sparkling, if slightly controversial, century at Trent Bridge.

The 13-man squad also includes medium pacer Steven Finn as cover for Chris Tremlett, who missed the second Test with back spasms.

The International Cricket Council website reported on Monday that India will make cricketing history if it draws matches 2-2 because no side has ever done that over a four-Test series from 2-0 down. By Praful Kumar Singh (ANI)