England and India lock horns

Isa Guha believes England can win the World Cup 2009

Buy this photo

England and India launch their preparations for next year’s ICC women’s World Cup 2009 in Australia when they go head to head in the five-match one-day international series, starting in Bath on Saturday.

England are unbeaten this season having defeated the West Indies 1-0 in a two-match ODI series and South Africa 4-0 in a five-match ODI series. In contrast, India’s last outing was in April and May this year in Sri Lanka where they won their fourth successive Asia Cup title.

The series becomes even more significant considering the fact that the two teams, along with Sri Lanka and Pakistan, are in Group B of the ICC women’s World Cup 2009 to be staged in Sydney from March 7-22.

Second seed India and fourth seed England are favourites to go through to the Super Six from Group B along with either Sri Lanka or Pakistan. The top two teams from the Super Six stage will qualify for the final while the remaining four teams will go into the play-offs.

While both the teams will be keeping an eye on their preparations for next year’s tournament, Charlotte Edwards’ girls will be aiming to maintain their superiority over Mithali Raj’s side.

England have won five of the last seven ODIs against India, including a 4-0 win the last time these two sides met in an ODI series on English soil. India twice defeated England in the preliminary round matches of a quadrangular series in 2007 in Chennai before England won the third/fourth-place play-off.

Fast bowler Isa Guha, who has taken 10 wickets in four ODIs this season, says every match England plays in the lead up to the World Cup will help them gain confidence as they try to finalise their best side ahead of the competition..

“We really believe as a team now that we can go out to the World Cup and win it,” she said. “We are taking it every step at a time, taking each game as it comes.

Isa Guha and Charlotte Edwards are looking forward to testing themselves against India again

Buy this photo

“We just want to make sure we win every game of cricket. It’s about preparation for the World Cup and obviously we want to keep putting in good performances.

“With the coach and captain looking at different combinations of players in the side, your place in the side is never really guaranteed. Every player is hungry for success.”

Guha, who took 5-14 against the West Indies earlier this season, is also excited at the challenge of taking on a Mithali Raj-inspired India.

“I am really looking forward to the upcoming series,” said the 23-year-old who has played seven Tests, 54 ODIs and seven Twenty20 Internationals.

“I am interested to see how far India have come since we last played – we have certainly moved on – and they are an equally strong side,” she added.

“Mithali is a very competitive cricketer. She leads from the front and she is an excellent timer of the ball. We want to bowl consistently to her and make sure she doesn’t get off to a good start.”.

England captain Charlotte Edwards agrees that India will be a difficult side to beat, saying: “India will be tough opposition this summer and we know we have to be at the top of our game to beat them.

“They have some world-class players like Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami and it will be a good challenge for us.

“We've got a strong squad, a great blend of youth and experience and we can't wait for this series to get started - it should be a really good series with some excellent cricket.”