NEWS

Ganguly eyes crunch England clash

February 24, 2003 11:24 IST

India brushed aside the challenge of Namibia on Sunday and immediately turned their attention to their next World Cup Group A match against England.

Sachin Tendulkar top-scored with 152 and captain Sourav Ganguly rediscovered his form with an unbeaten 112 as India crushed the tournament minnows by 181 runs.

Ganguly, though, quickly looked ahead to Wednesday's game against in-form England who upset Pakistan by 112 runs on Saturday.

"I watched the game," he said. "England played very well, but we will be up for it."

Ganguly thinks good batting will be vital if India are to beat England in the day-night match in Durban.

"The key to the game will be putting runs on the board," he said. "Our improving form is certainly going to help us there."

Ganguly, nursing a cut on his chin suffered after edging a ball on to his face, was relieved to make a century after failing to reach fifty in the first three World Cup games or during a recent one-day series in New Zealand.

"I wanted to spend as much time as possible at the crease," he said.

Man-of-the-match Sachin Tendulkar, who has mustered 321 runs in the tournament and top-scored in each of India's four World Cup games, said he was focusing on one match at a time.

"The important thing is I continue to maintain this form," he said. "All of us have to contribute with the bat to make the difference between winning and losing."

Source: REUTERS
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