We've not come here to make up the numbers insists Gooch – Cricket News Update
As his side prepares to tackle India in the opening Test, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Graham-Alan-Gooch-c60530, has insisted that they are not here to make up the numbers but to have a real crack at winning the four-match series and improve on their poor record in the sub-continent.
England’s durability against spin remains a sincere question following their abysmal showings earlier in the year, where they were humbled 3-0 by a spin-heavy Pakistani attack. They claimed a hard fought draw against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 in the subsequent two Tests but that hardly put to bed their issues against spin.
Since the turn of the century, they have played 22 Tests in Asia and won just six, four of their victories coming against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750, where they have not won a Test series since 1984.
In total, the Poms have toured India on 14 occasions since 1933, and have won 24 out of 88 International matches across all formats. Evidently, their biggest test will come against spin, where the likes of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/PP-Ojha-c2198 and Harbhajan Singh will look to exploit their vulnerability.
Gooch however, has dismissed that notion, and wants his batters to prepare for the pace battles as well. He further admitted that facing the Men in Blue on their home soil remains a tough ask but has backed his players to deliver the goods.
"We're not majoring on spin," Gooch said. "That's not the only type of bowling we're going to face. They've got two very good opening bowlers, two out of three from http://www.senore.com/Cricket/I-Sharma-c1566, and two spinners.
"Our build-up has gone to plan. People have got runs; there's been some wickets. Some of our players have learned a little bit in the couple of weeks we've been here.
"I think coming to India is one of the greatest challenges. It's a wonderful place to play cricket. But we've come here to win the series; we've not come here to make up the numbers."
The series kicks off on November 15th at Ahmedabad.
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