BACK TO BASICS: The Indian team watches coach Greg Chappell explaining some finer points of fielding. - PHOTO: R.V. MOORTHY

FARIDABAD: Modernisation is not visible at the Nahar Singh Stadium with the concrete stands a stark reminder of the fact that infrastructure has remained archaic at this small venue.

The chaos at the stadium only confirmed one's fears that nothing had changed. Not even the pitch. There were apprehensions on whether it would last the distance even though curator Vijay Yadav insisted it was a batting beauty.

Cricket has moved at a fast pace though and some old timers stood astounded by the drills that the Indian cricketers went through on the eve of the second one-day international against England; baseball throws to enhance the speed of the returns and stretching exercises for improved running between wickets.

Cricket may not be rocket science but watching the Indian team prepare for the contest it did not appear to be a simple game either.

Steely resolve

What promises to be as simple as always is Virender Sehwag's batting.

His resolve to score consistently is as steely as ever though his recent batting slump may be a cause of concern for Indian cricket.

How does Sehwag assess his cricket? "To tell you the truth, my dedication has not wavered but I know the expectations have grown many times. I am expected to score heavily every time I walk to the middle. I can't change the thinking of people but I can change myself if need be. I know I have to be more consistent.

"My approach has remained the same and I still look forward to maintaining that character of my batting. From my childhood I have loved to attack and I will continue to do so. It is just a matter of having runs against my name," said the dashing opener, now under pressure to perform.

He, however, confided, "only those who perform shall survive in this team."

Strong indication

A strong indication of how things have moved under Greg Chappell's strict regimen but it is also strange that the support staff has not been able to identify the cause of Sehwag's repeated failures.

"Sehwag is a precious batsman," averred skipper Rahul Dravid.

"I have the full support of the team management. They have been constantly encouraging me," stressed Sehwag.

But where are the big scores that he is so capable of? "The first 10 overs are critical," said Sehwag putting his finger on the problem area.

"I know people say that I have been sorted out. That I run from the short ball and play away from the body. They (critics and experts) have a job to do and I have mine.

"Honestly, I can't lose my sleep over what the media feels. I analyse my game daily and try and remember the good innings that I have played.

"I am as concerned as the others. I know my strengths and weaknesses and the day I realise I can't cope with the demands of international cricket, I will retire. At the moment, I am just concentrating on a big innings. I promise you I am working hard and just aiming to be more consistent," Sehwag concluded.

Even as the team prays silently for Sehwag to return to his dominating ways, there was uncertainty on the bowling front as Irfan Pathan missed `nets' due to a throat affliction.

"Irfan had a bit of the flu after the last game. He had sore throat and fever and has been rested as a precaution. He should be fit," said Dravid.

Munaf Patel continued to be a doubtful starter, still nursing his bruised heel even though he bowled at the nets. "We are happy with the way he bowled. He will definitely be hundred per cent fit for the next matches," Dravid said.

The focus would be on the pitch as locals feared it might break. The cracks are evident and it would be a pity if they open up and swallow the entertainment value of the contest. The last match at this venue was an eyesore when New Zealand was skittled out for 97.

"It would be different tomorrow," insisted curator Yadav.

The teams (from): India: Rahul Dravid (capt), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Kaif, Suresh Raina, M.S. Dhoni, Irfan Pathan, Venugopala Rao, Ramesh Powar, Harbhajan Singh, Ajit Agarkar, S. Sreesanth, Munaf Patel and R.P. Singh.

England: Andrew Flintoff (capt), Andrew Strauss, Matt Prior, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Geraint Jones, Kabir Ali, Ian Blackwell, James Anderson, Liam Plunkett, Owais Shah, Matthew Hoggard, Gareth Batty, Ian Bell, Sajid Mahmood and Vikram Solanki.

Umpires: Asad Rauf and A.V. Jayaprakash; Third umpire: I. Sivaram; Fourth umpire: R.L. Ranade; Match referee: Roshan Mahanama.

Hours of play: 9 a.m. to 12.40 p.m.; 1.25 p.m. onwards.

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