Indian eves start as favourites

Indian women start favourites in the lunge opener of the five-match Hero Honda one-day series against England at Gurunanak-ICL Grounds in Chennai on Sunday.

Though the hosts will be missing the services of eight members of the 7th World Cup squad which finished third, they hold an edge over the visitors who are going through a bad patch in recent years.

Both teams are in transition phase with several new faces in the line ups with India alone having as many as six debutants.

The opener, the first international match for the Indians after their semi-final loss against New Zealand in the World Cup in November 2000, would also mark the beginning of the hosts' preparations for the 2004 world cup.

The recent record favours the Indians as they had won the last two series - in 1995-96 at home and in 1999 on the tour, besides defeating the English in the World Cup in 2000.

But, England, who were drubbed 3-0 by the Australians last summer at home, would be aiming to bounce back.

Indian Captain Anjum Chopra and Coach Tarak Sinha exuded confidence of a winning start, though they added a note of caution saying it would be evenly fought.

"We are looking for a positive start to the year by winning the match, but not taking them (England) lightly. I expect the match to be evenly fought," Chopra, who played a key role in India's good performance in the World Cup, said.

Mail Cricket Editor