England will be tough opponents: Ganguly

Kolkata, September 18: Describing England as "tough opponents" despite the absence of a number of key players, Indian captain Sourav Ganguly on Wednesday said his team could not take them lightly when they clash in the ICC Champions Trophy on September 22.

"They may be without Andrew Flintoff, Darren Gough, and Michael Vaughan. But I am not taking them lightly. No team can be underestimated in limited over matches," Ganguly, who is here for a three-day break, told newspersons.

Looking at the first match against Zimbabwe in retrospect, Ganguly said though his team won the match, it had lost five wickets for 87 within the first 15 overs.

"No team can be underestimated in limited over matches, So, I think, irrespective of the team composition, England will be tough opponents. We have a battle on our hands," he said.

The skipper emphasised that each one-dayer in the next few months were very crucial in the run-up to the World Cup in February-March in South Africa.

He said "every country has now started preparing for the big event. Each is trying to have a measure of its opponents. The Champions Trophy is the only major tournament before the World Cup where all the teams will be seen in action. We have also started our homework for the Cup."

Ganguly, who arrived in the metropolis on Sunday to spend a few of days with his family, will leave for Colombo today to join the team for the crucial England match on September 22.

Asked whether he had thought of any strategy to counter South Africa if India made it to the Champions Trophy semi- final, Ganguly said "I am now concentrating on the England match. Let us first beat them."

He, however, stressed the need for another good pace bowler in the Indian squad for one-dayers.

"We need a good strike bowler and an allrounder. In Test, we have got Sanjay Bangar. In one dayer also, we need a bowler who is capable of breaking partnerships in times of need," he said.

Looking fresh after the much needed rest at home, Ganguly said "we badly needed a break, however short it may be. After all we have been playing continuously for seven months."

Asked about reports of former Pakistani skipper Wasim Akram praising his captaincy, Ganguly said "I feel happy. Akram is the toughest bowler I have faced. So long he plays international cricket, batsmen will have a torrid time against Pakistan."