Restless India want the World Cup to begin by AFP

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Event:

ICC World Cup 2006/07

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DateLine: 6th March 2007

 

India have so much spare time on their hands in the Caribbean, they are itching to finally take the field in a competitive World Cup game.

 

Rahul Dravid's men, who arrived here on March 1, will have spent 17 days training and playing two practice matches before their first Cup match against Bangladesh in Trinidad on March 17, four days after the tournament officially begins.

 

"It is pretty long before the first game, especially in conditions which are similar to our country," former captain Sourav Ganguly told reporters after another training session.

 

"The sooner we start the tournament the better."

 

India play the Netherlands in a practice match later on Tuesday and will have another warm-up game against the West Indies on Friday before Sunday's opening ceremony in Trelawny.

 

That will be followed by another five days of practice in Port-of-Spain before the real action begins for the Indians.

 

Ganguly, who led India to the World Cup final in South Africa in 2003, urged team-mates to remain focused.

 

"We must stop worrying about things which are not in our control - injury, time, weather," said the 34-year-old, who will be playing in his third World Cup.

 

"It is the World Cup so everyone must prepare well."

 

Ganguly said the two practice matches will be taken very seriously.

 

"It will be a good workout before the World Cup starts," he said. "We want to play every game as it comes and try to win.

 

"Momentum will come only if you keep on winning and that is the key."

 

Nine of the 15 players in the Indian squad took part in the last World Cup in South Africa with senior pro Sachin Tendulkar gearing up for his fifth appearance in the four-yearly event.

 

India are placed in group B of the preliminary league with Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Bermuda with the top two qualifying for the second round.

 

After the March 17 opener against Bangladesh, the Indians take on Bermuda two days later on March 19 and clash with Sri Lanka on March 23.

(Article: Copyright © 2007 AFP)