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London:
Former wicketkeeper-batsman Farokh Engineer believes India would
not have fared so poorly in England had the Indian cricket board
accepted his offer to work as an "unpaid consultant" for the
series.
Engineer, who has played for Lancashire and has a huge respect
here revealed he offered his services to assist coach Duncan
Fletcher as an unpaid advisor for the four-Test series. However
Engineer, who played 46 Tests for India during the 1960s-70s, did
not get any response from the Indian board or Fletcher.
India go into the fourth Test Thursday 0-3 down in the series and
after surrendering the World No.1 Test tag to England.
Engineer said he was surprised to see an under-prepared Indian
team.
"It amazes me that India weren't more prepared going into the
series," Engineer was quoted as saying in Manchester Evening News.
"Especially so considering Duncan Fletcher is a former England
coach. These people get huge sums of money, but what exactly are
they doing to earn it?
Engineer said he would have loved to assist the Indian side, but
his offer got no reply from the Indian board.
"Before the series began, I offered my services to the team for
free as an unpaid consultant, but I didn't get any response," he
said.
"Not many people in the India ranks know English conditions better
than I do."
Engineer said India would have lost even if their pace spearhead
Zaheer Khan had been fit.
"There is something wrong somewhere because India haven't just
lost, they have been outplayed in every department," he said.
"England have been in charge with the bat, the ball, in the field
and in the captaincy.
"India have had their injury problems, and the loss of Zaheer Khan
was a big blow.
"But even if he had played, England would have still won the
series convincingly.
"India have so many experienced batsmen in their team that it is a
real surprise they have been surprised by the quality of England's
bowlers in these conditions.
"It has been such a big disappointment for all India fans."
Engineer has made England his home since his nine-year stint with
Lancashire, where he was part of the side which dominated the
one-day game.
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