Sunday, December 2, 2001 Until you have played in a Test in India, you have not experienced the real joy of cricket. Of course the game has changed since 1976 when I toured with the MCC under Tony Greig and we won 3-1. None of the current England side has tasted Test cricket in India and they have only three Tests in this series, so getting off to a start is vital. I would say that trying to play catch-up in India is nigh impossible.

My experience as coach with South Africa was interesting as it was obvious that the surfaces had not changed that much. The pitches in India tend to be made from either a red clay absolutely guaranteed to break up and turn, or from a greyish clay that does turn but also favours batting, especially at Calcutta, where England won't play until the one-day series in January. Mohali, where the Test series begins, is a magnificent cricket stadium and has excellent facilities, so it will definitely be a special occasion for all those who play.

Dennis Amiss and Alan Knott both said to me that the second time you play in India it is easier, and a month into the tour I began to realise what they meant. It is not so much that the Indian cricketers revel in their own conditions: it is the pressure that is created by milling crowds, and a loss of concentration due to the huge following and the noise. If ever the side needed to use the phrase "focus on the now", it will be in India.

The bounce of the ball is very different and while batting can be terrific one day, it can be an absolute nightmare the next. The ball when pitching just seems to hold - maybe stop is a better word. This makes driving particularly difficult and, as the pitch deteriorates, it becomes almost impossible. Our victory in India last time was achieved by the batsmen being very patient and occupying the crease for long periods, batting for two days and the pitch is then very bowler-friendly. It was also achieved by some aggressive fast bowling and I remember Greig making sure that the fast bowlers knocked over the Indian tail by sheer aggression. Derek Underwood played a part too!

Of course this is only half the battle and it will be interesting to see what strategies India employ to try and defeat England. Unfortunately (and hopefully I am wrong, after all I am a long way away) it would seem that England, even taking into account a morale-boosting win against India A, are still slightly undercooked as far as batting in the middle is concerned.

The two first-class games they have had have been on ordinary surfaces which makes it difficult to get into form. Interestingly enough the Indian authoritie deliberately prepared a seaming wicket for the India A game on the pretext that this is where Indian cricket must go if they are to start winning abroad. I suspect they cannot afford to lose at home either - the pressure is on them, especially after the last two weeks' raging againt the decisions of the match referee. As a tactic I cannot believe that preparing green wickets will be a continuing ploy!

I have briefly mentioned the external factors and in particular the atmosphere and how that might affect batting. With the SA side we were very conscious that when we were doing well then the crowd were very quiet, but the crescendo of noise when an Indian batsman hits a four or they take a wicket is deafening, and mentally challenging. It is in this department the England side will be tested and this is where they will have to be very strong. I am sure they are up for it.

A lot of pressure will come from the spinners, Kumble and Harbhajan, and I shudder to say this, as I do not want to stir up a hornets' nest, but the fielders around the bat can be very excitable and are prepared to shout for anything and in chorus too. It is something touring teams mention first at team meetings when playing against India. Getting rid of those fielders with controlled attacking strokes will be the key. Patience is a virtue but aggression is a must.

I have always believed that when touring any country which has a different culture and cuisine that it is important to blend in wherever possible. The Indian cricket public are wonderfully friendly people, desperately passionate about their cricket and very generous. The cricket team a little less hospitable - they are very competitive and very good. It will be interesting to see how far England have progressed.

Bob Woolmer is Warwickshire's coach and ICC's high-performance manager.

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