World T20: England brace for spin test

NEW DELHI: One team has been practising non-stop since arriving in the Capital while the other has managed to eke out time for sightseeing in this packed World T20 schedule. The outlook of the former, which is Sri Lanka, and their rivals England in the lead up to their crucial Group 1 encounter at the Ferozeshah Kotla on Saturday is a clear indication of their mindsets.Most of North India was enjoying a Holi break on Thursday and England did the same, choosing to travel all the way to Agra for a day out at the Taj Mahal as the Lankans slogged away for second day in a row at the Palam grounds. The Lankans might be the defending champions of the World T20 but are looking mere shadow of the outfit which won the title back in 2014. If only hard work in nets could turn their fortunes around, Angelo Mathews & Co would hold the edge in this contest.England, who have lost four of the six T20s against Lanka in the past, are the one who'll go in as favourites but only just because they managed to pull out a mind-boggling run-chase against South Africa and wriggled out of 57 for 6 against Afghanistan a couple of days back. The Englishmen came in ill-prepared for the slow Kotla pitch and were done in by the lack of spin on the track."I think adapting to conditions is important. We don't want to carry any pre-conceived notions into the match. We'll assess the conditions and decide on the way forward," a cautious Joe Root said before the clash here on Friday .One of the disadvantages English cricketers face is their absence from the Indian Premier League over the years which makes it tougher for them to adapt. "The surfaces here are completely different from the ones we get back home. It always helps to have guys who have played here in these conditions in the past," England's in-form batsman added.The Lankans, like Afghanistan, will pose a more than credible spin challenge. The trio of Rangana Herath, Sachitra Senanayke and Jeffrey Vandersay not only have variety -left-arm, off-break and legbreak -but all are bigger turners of the ball than any of Afghan tweakers. Add to the mix the likes of Milinda Siriwardana and Tillakaratne Dilshan and England will face a true test of sub-continental spin prowess."It is definitely an advantage to have played in Indian conditions in the past. I have toured India before and competed in the IPL for the last seven years. I know the conditions in Delhi well and enjoy playing here," Lankan allrounder Thissara Perera said.Both teams, however, know that Saturday's encounter is a must-win clash to get a smooth pathway into the last four. How England's in-form batsmen handle Lankan spin will dictate the course of this tie.