Proof that young firebrands can turn into cool old heads came in the heat of Mumbai today as Nasser Hussain cupped the Indian media in his hands and watched them melt. "I hope that no-one out there has got any wrong idea about this England team," he treacled. "We are desperate to be here. I have very fond memories of India - love the culture, love everything about their cricket, the way that when we drive on the bus people recognise us and everything. Every time we come here we're well taken care of … until we get on the pitch."

This went down very well with a media pack already intrigued by the idea of an England captain born in Madras. The gossip column in today's Bombay Times referred to him as "the sizzling Nasser Hussain" and was disappointed that he had kept his shirt on as he trained by the pool yesterday. But flesh or no flesh, he was still "delicious-looking".

Back at today's press conference, Hussain waved away questions about the high-profile security that follows the team everywhere, saying that they were happy with everything and all that they had asked for had been done. "We have no worries at the moment … apart from Tendulkar."

Tendulkar played more Test matches as a teenager than England's makeshift bowling attack have played between them in their whole careers. Of the 16 men in the party, four are entirely new to Test cricket and four more have only five caps. But Hussain was upbeat about his baby squad. "In a funny sort of way it is an advantage to us," he said. "We've got no real stars and are all on the same level trying to learn from each other.

"It makes it more enjoyable and more of a challenge. A young side is full of enthusiasm, and a pleasure to captain. There is no trying to get them out of the dressing-room, they give us old ones a bit of energy, and when you're handing out debut caps, which I will be at the first Test, it lifts everyone up."

Earlier England had gone for a three-hour net session in 30-degree heat. Nigel Stockhill, their travelling physiologist, has advised them to spend as much time in the sun as possible without getting sunstroke, in order to acclimatise. And they were able get used to the atmosphere of the Wankhede Stadium, where they play their first match on Sunday, without disruption. The soldiers outnumbered the fans - by at least 20 to none.

Indian reporters said they had seen nothing like the security at the ground before, even against Pakistan. A metal detector guarded the entrance, backed up by a lathi or 20. But the only thing for them to be used against was the big black crows that hover and swoop at the Wankhede.

Ashley Giles, who hasn't played since July, hobbled toward practice like a pensioner but bowled like a semi-fit 40-year-old, whereas Craig White, who also needed a fitness test last week, approached the crease like a man dancing on eggshells. Jimmy Ormond conjured up some jumping-jack bounce but it was Martyn Ball, a Mike Atherton lookalike without the grimace, who was the only man to win applause from Duncan Fletcher as he straight-walloped the ball out of the nets, again and again.

Tanya Aldred, our assistant editor, is covering the whole England tour for Wisden.com.

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