Rediff Logo
Line
Channels:   Astrology | Contests | E-cards | Money | Movies | Romance | Search | Women
Partner Channels:    Auctions | Health | Home & Decor | IT Education | Jobs | Matrimonial | Travel
Line
Home > Cricket > News > Report
December 28, 2001
Feedback  
  sections

 -  England in India
 -  News
 -  Diary
 -  Betting Scandal
 -  Schedule
 -  Interview
 -  Columns
 -  Gallery
 -  Statistics
 -  Earlier tours
 -  Specials
 -  Archives
 -  Search Rediff



  Call India
   Holiday Special
   Direct Service

 • Save upto 60% over
    AT&T, MCI
 • Rates 29.9¢/min
   Select Cities



   Prepaid Cards

 • Mumbai 19.9¢/min
 • Chennai 26¢/min
 • Other Cities



 India Abroad
Weekly Newspaper

  In-depth news

  Community Focus

  16 Page Magazine
For 4 free issues
Click here!

 
Reuters
 Search the Internet
         Tips
 South Africa

E-Mail this report to a friend
Print this page Best Printed on  HP Laserjets

Gavaskar relieved after "boring" England series

Former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar has slammed the England side which lost a three-Test series last week as the "most boring side to have played cricket in India".

Had the series, won 1-0 by the hosts, been played over five matches, Indian cricket would have lost a huge number of spectators, Gavaskar wrote in his column in the Hindustan Times daily on Thursday.

"At the end of the third Test, the overwhelming feeling was one of relief," he said, reviewing the series which ended on Sunday.

"Why is our board keen on having a five-Test series when England visit India next is beyond comprehension, for without the slightest doubt, they are the most unattractive and boring side to have played cricket in India," he said.

The Indian board wants England to play five Tests on their next Test tour in 2006 and a sixth one-dayer during the January 22-February 3 Indian series for India to fulfil their commitment to play four Tests rather than three in England next year.

The leading batsman of the 1970's and '80s has been highly critical of Nasser Hussain's side after the second Ahmedabad Test, dominated by England, ended in a tame draw.

India won the first Mohali Test by 10 wickets while the rain-hit final game in Bangalore also ended in a draw.

Gavaskar said all past home Test series against England have been dull affairs, barring 1993 when the hosts swept a three-Test series.

"Except the 1993 contest that India won 3-0, the others have been battles of attrition full of dull cricket from both sides - mainly initiated by England - and have been good only for people suffering from insomnia.

"It was another eminently forgettable series and we must thank our stars that the next England tour is in 2006," he added.

Gavaskar had some praise for Hussain after England dominated the second and third drawn games.

"That the Englishmen drew the two Tests and also looked in control for the better part, shows the work done on the mental side by Nasser Hussain."

England's tour of India : Complete coverage

Mail Cricket Editor

(C) 2000 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similiar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters and the Reuters Sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world.