Wright says India have learnt their lessons

Trent Bridge, June 25: Indian coach John Wright here on Tuesday said his team had learnt a lesson during the home series against England earlier this year when the tourists were able to successfully exert pressure on his team to come from behind and tie the six-match one-day series 3-3.

"We were disappointed to lose the last two games from winning positions," Wright said at the joint press conference of the three teams - India, England and Sri Lanka - ahead of the triangular one-day series starting on Thursday.

The coach was referring to the series in which India squandered a 3-1 lead and let go winning positions in the remaining two games.

On the other hand, England captain Nasser Hussain warned of following the same tactics, saying he would like to see India disintegrate with a similar pressure this summer.

"We saw it in India with the high expectation of the home crowds", Hussain said, adding "if we can put them under pressure, they might feel it.

"We obviously would be trying to put them under pressure and it would come from our discipline. If we maintain discipline and create pressure it will work".

Wright, however, countered Hussain saying his side was also capable of putting pressure on the opposition.

"We are a very talented side and play good brand of attacking cricket. I hope we can create our own pressure on the opposition," he said, while brushing aside suggestions that India had an inexperienced pace attack.

"The inexperience of the fast bowlers would not be a disadvantage in the forthcoming series as (Ashish) Nehra, (Zaheer) Khan and (Ajit) Agarkar have a done a good job in the last 18 months that I have been in charge", he said.

Left-arm pacemen Nehra and Zaheer Khan, alongwith Agarkar are likely to form the basis of Indian attack in this English summer though it remained to be seen how quickly they adopt to the alien conditions.

"The basics don't vary too much from country to country," said Wright, adding "I guess the advantage we have is that Khan and Nehra were not part of the team that played against England last time in India."

The Indian camp was also buoyed by the injury to England's fast bowler Darren Gough before the start of the triangular series.

Gough, England's most successful one-day bowler ever with 168 wickets to his credit, pulled out before a game between Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire yesterday and not sure about playing in the one-day series.

The England captain made it clear that his side will definitely miss Gough's service if he pulls out due to injury.

"It's a huge blow, I wouldn't hide behind any clinches," said Hussain. "It is like Australia missing (Glenn) McGrath and (Shane) Warne. 

It is a double blow for England as Andy Caddick, who along with Gough forms a formidable new ball pair, has already been sidelined for the one-day series with a side strain.

All-rounder Andrew Flintoff is also suffering from a groin niggle.

Wright and captain Sourav Ganguly could barely hide their glee at the news of Gough's condition though the coach said India is capable of being an "unpredictable" side in its own right.

But Ganguly disagreed with suggestions that his side was not fresh for this series, having played relentless cricket in the last 12 months.

"We have got get used to it. It is hard but we also realize it is going to get harder," Ganguly said.

After the triangular one-dayers, India will play a four Test series with England. It will participate in the mini World Cup in Sri Lanka in September and then host West Indies for three Test and seven one-day matches.

A tour to New Zealand in December-January, comprising two Tests and seven one-dayers will leave them with little rest before the World Cup in South Africa in February next year.

England too have a hectic schedule and Hussain said players like Gough would be played only when they are declared fully fit.

"We just have a mentality of giving a massage and getting him out there", said Hussain. "These people are professional athletes and Darren has to be fully fit before he is back. We want him fit. Not half-fit."

Hussain said he wanted to make sure Gough was available for the Test series against India even if he was to miss the triangular tournament. 

"It means somebody would probably step in for Gough, England's most successful fast bowler, without having any international match," said Hussain, subtly hinting at the prospects of young Alex Tudor.

"Tudor is a high quality bowler but he has not played any one-day international", Hussain said.

"But as they did in the Test series (against Sri Lanka), the younger guys again have to put their hands up."

Sri Lankan captain Sanath Jayasuriya was hopeful his side would be able to turn the tables in the one-day series following their 2-0 loss to the hosts.