London: England skipper Andrew Strauss does not believe that India is a weak side when it comes to facing pace bowling but feels if Chris Tremlett can be at his best, the lanky bowler can trouble the visiting batsmen in the upcoming Test series.
Strauss feels that most of the sub-continent teams have become familiar with the English conditions as they have started touring this part of the world more often.
“Are India susceptible to short deliveries? I think all the sub-continent sides have got better at that in recent years. It comes as a result of touring here quite often. Certainly their senior players are no strangers to these shores,” he said.
The England captain said since Tremlett has matured as a bowler, he can be more than handy against India.
“We are not excpecting any dramatic weaknesses there but we know someone like Chris Tremlett performed very well against them last time around here. He was a lot younger and probably less developed as a bowler then.
“I think we saw against Australia and Sri Lanka, that type of bowling, if done consistently and accurately, will trouble most people,” Strauss told the Daily Telegraph.
Apart from Tremlett, the English pace battery includes, James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Steve Finn.
Strauss is hoping that Broad, who was dropped from the side for the final one-dayer against Sri Lanka, will soon rediscover his touch and deliver goods against India.
“I am not worried about it. He (Broad) has not been bowling badly. He has not got as many wickets as he would like. But we see Broady as a high-quality performer, a world-class bowler who, if he bangs his length out with a bit of swing and bounce, will trouble most guys around the world.
“Of course we want him to be confident and taking wickets, and we have every confidence that over the next few weeks he will be doing that again,” he said.
Strauss also lavished praise on India icon Sachin Tendulkar as the legendary batsman prepares to chase his 100th international hundred in the forthcoming series between the sides.
Strauss will get a look at Tendulkar’s current form over the next few days as the Middlesex batsman is on a loan spell with Somerset — in a bid to end his run of low scores — and will play in their match against the tourists at Taunton.
“He seems to be playing as well as ever at the moment. It is a great example for us all that if you are still hungry, there is no reason why your powers should decline as you get older.
However, Strauss is hoping that Tremlett can make life uncomfortable for Tendulkar and his team-mates in the first Test at Lord’s next week. (Agencies)