"It is one of our strengths, but our bowlers have done well on this trip as well. Both the spinners have performed superbly. We're going to need contributions with both bat and ball, Dravid said.
Indian skipper Rahul Dravid said the challenge before the team is to try to win the series from the point of being down 2-3 in the seven match NatWest series.
“Rankings doesn't make that much of a difference. We're still in with a chance in spite of not playing up to our potential. We're quite fortunate to be in a position to win the series. We had come back well in Belfast to beat South Africa. There we had won two matches in a row, and here the challenge is to make it one better and win three matches in a row," Dravid said here on Tuesday.
Dravid said batting was one of the strengths of the team, but the visitors will have to score more than 300 to put England under pressure.
“It is one of our strengths, but our bowlers have done well on this trip as well. Both the spinners have performed superbly. We're going to need contributions with both bat and ball.
“England is playing good one-day cricket and we've to score over 300 runs to beat them," he said.
The Bangalorean also said the team will have to field better. “There's only so much we can do. We can catch better as we're a good catching side. We can keep our intensity levels up. Maybe we have to anticipate a bit better and improve in small percentages,” he said.
‘Good wicket’
On the Oval pitch, Dravid said, “It is a good wicket, and it is a fast outfield as well. It might turn a bit as the game goes on because it is the later part of the summer.”
About the possibilities in the team combination, Dravid said, “We will pick the team that we think will do the job here. I think here the spin of Sachin and Yuvraj could come in handy. It is a good batting wicket, so might need the extra bowler."
That might see the return of Rudra Pratap Singh most likely at the cost of Dinesh Kaarthick.
With the one-day matches coming thick and fast, Dravid said long-term management of players has become tough.
“It does become difficult. At this stage we can't afford to think of long-term management. We have to win each and every game. This time we have to win both. I'm not going to force them if they're not fit, but best eleven will be on the field," he said.
When you play seven against the same team it is tough as well. It is easier and relaxed when it's a triangular tournament. It gets tough to manage your players. At least this time it is been really exciting and we have some close games. It made it exciting and all to play for," he said.
