It's fantastic to play for England: Solanki

Andrew Preston

Vikram Solanki on Thursday spoke of his delight following his England call-up.

"It came a bit late, but it was fantastic news. It was a rush job to try and get everything organised in a couple of days but I managed to get here and I am very pleased."

He had been warned to be on standby by chairman of England selectors David Graveney, but it was still a surprise when the news came that Nick Knight would not be touring because of an injury.

"I was told mid-afternoon the day before yesterday," said the Worcestershire batsman, as he prepared to head for the airport with the rest of the England team bound for Nairobi.

His inclusion brings the number of Indian-born players in the current England one-day side to two. Nasser Hussain was born in Madras, and Solanki was born in 1976 in Udaipur.

"It's fantastic to play for England," said Solaniki. "I've played a handful of one-day internationals and it's definitely the level at which to play cricket. In any sport, to represent your country is very pleasing."

He remains unsure of how Indian cricket followers will react to him, should England play India.

"I'm not sure really if they will be supportive. I was born in India and I've got my family and some very good friends there. I go back as often as I can, so I definitely feel a strong link.

"But I've learned all my cricket in England -- I've been here since the age of 8. As far as cricket goes, England's been it really.

"I dearly, dearly love going back to India, and I would probably have gone back now had I not been selected."

Nasser Hussain has talked of the England team being unfamiliar with conditions in Pakistan, so will he be more used to them?

"I don't think so. I toured Bangladesh last year with the England 'A' side, but I've not really played in India. I've been planning for the last two or three winters to play some first class cricket there, simply because I enjoy going back there but it hasn't come about."

And will it be difficult for him, as an Indian-born player, touring Pakistan?

"I've never been to Pakistan, and my best friend in England is of Pakistani origin, so I'm looking forward to that. I'm going with the England team so I wouldn't view it as me going there as an Indian. I wouldn't have got the opportunity to go there had I not played cricket, so I'm looking forward to going and seeing what it's all about."

Does he find such a long tour, starting with a competition against the best sides in the world, a daunting prospect?

"Exciting I would say. Exciting is the word I would use to describe it, not daunting. I just really want England to do well and I want to play a part in us doing that."

Solanki has so far played in 8 one-day internationals with a batting average of 16, while his first-class batting average for Worcestershire this year has been a healthy 43. He also took 9 wickets as a right arm off-break bowler.

Mail Cricket Editor