Hussain believes his team can turn the tide

Ahmedabad, December 9: After a humiliating 10-wicket loss in the first Test, England captain Nasser Hussain was hoping his team would put up a better fight in the second Test starting here on Tuesday though conditions once again looked in favour of the home team.

"We can win this match and come back in the series," Hussain said after his team had a strenous practice session at the Sardar Patel Stadium here on Sunday.

The pitch for the match is almost ready and the outfield, which has been prepared by experts from the United Kingdom, looks good. However, it looked as if spin bowlers would once again dominate the proceedings here as they did in Mohali.

"It looks to be a slow turning wicket," said Hussain whose team had crumbled against the spin duo of Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh in the first Test.

"We have the ability to score runs against spinners. But we will have to be more patient and disciplined in our batting," he said.
With conditions looking more conducive for the slow bowlers, England were also hoping that left-arm spinner Ashley Giles, who sat out the first Test due to an injury, was ready for the match.

"I think he will be fit for the match," said Hussain.

The English team arrived at the stadium at 11 am and their players were mostly engaged in fielding practice and were confined to nets till afternoon after which the Indian team led by captain Sourav Ganguly had their practice.

Some of the Indian team members had arrived in the city yesterday while rest of the players, barring Rahul Dravid who came in the evening, arrived here this morning.

The Indian team's practice continued till the evening.

The ground was wet and was being dried up by installing fans and lights.

Meanwhile, the umpires - A V Jayprakash of India and Ian Robinson of Zimbabwe - along with third umpire Jasbir Singh of India, ICC match referee Dennis Lindsay of South Africa and BCCI observer P R Narayanswami, have reached the city.