Moores: Batting unit must perform

Ian Bell is expected to head a batting order dubbed key by coach Peter Moores

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Peter Moores has pinpointed England's batting unit as the key to their chances of success in the forthcoming seven-match one-day series against India.

England's stunning 4-0 triumph over South Africa on home soil at the end of the summer was achieved largely through the efforts of their seam-dominated attack, restricting the tourists' hopes of setting competitive targets.

The attack will once again be key to England's hopes of securing a first one-day series triumph on India soil since 1984-5 - with Andrew Flintoff and Steve Harmison's experience to the fore.

But coach Moores believes the batting unit will be crucial to how England apply themselves on often placid pitches, against an India side full of confidence given their performances in the ongoing Test series against Australia.

"All the players will play their part, but I still think the key will be to get consistent runs," said Moores.

"To be successful in one-day cricket, our batting is going to have to fire.

"During the South Africa series, the whole batting unit worked very well. The top order took responsibility, and the whole team made sure they batted all the overs - which is going to be crucial over here."

That was the big lesson learnt from England's previous visit to India two years ago, when they were dismissed inside their allotted overs on four occasions and slipped to a 5-1 defeat.

England's line-up to face a Mumbai Cricket Association XII on Sunday reflects these thoughts, with eight frontline batsman included in a 12-man side.

Ryan Sidebottom, however, misses out, with his ongoing ankle injury. Spinners Graeme Swann and Samit Patel should both be given airings.

Ryan Sidebottom (left) has worked with Ottis Gibson in practice but is overcoming an ankle injury

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They will face a weakened MCA XII, deprived of their leading players by the Ranji Trophy matches taking place the same day.

Captain Kevin Pietersen, who was a key member of the one-day side in India two years ago, has bitter memories of the experience but believes the current squad has the capability to perform much better in the coming weeks.

"India are playing great cricket at the moment, and that means it will be a tough series. But we've been playing good cricket as well," said Pietersen.

"The last month that we played against South Africa we beat them 4-0, and I think it would have been 5-0 if it hadn't rained in Cardiff - which is something we haven't done before.

"We're learning how to win, and I think the boys are hungry to do well out here.

Coming to India is tough - and winning here is tougher, as we learnt last time when we had a great draw in the Test series and then got smashed in the one-dayers.

"We need to improve on that, and India are playing some really good cricket at the moment and are being led well by MS Dhoni.

"Playing against Australia is tough, and the best preparation for any cricket is to play a game. India will come in with a newness of life and full of confidence going into our series, so I don't think we'll have an edge there."

England are planning a split session for today's practice at the Brabourne stadium, with half the squad training early and the rest later in the morning because there are only two serviceable nets.