The India-England Group B World Cup face-off is a compelling one. Though it is advantage India on home turf, the pressures of the occasion could impact the teams. Despite shortcomings in its bowling against the Netherlands, this English side is not a turgid outfit like some of the earlier teams from the Old Blighty that visited the sub-continent.

The World Cup is a vertiginous mountain to conquer for a side that has never triumphed in the competition. However, Andrew Strauss and his men are a bunch of cricketers who can lift their performances. The pitch for the match had a sprinkling of grass, but, then, how much of it remains on the surface before the 2.30 start in the afternoon remains to be seen.

Published Date : Sunday, 27/2/2011 2:08 PM IST