Solanki six short of landmark

Vikram Solanki is just one hefty blow away from reaching a supreme landmark to commemorate his England recall - but is unlikely to attempt it in his new role.

Worcestershire's Solanki needs just six against India at the Oval on Friday to bring up 1,000 runs in limited-overs matches this season, a feat achieved only sporadically in English summers.

The Solanki of old may have eyed getting to the target with a solitary shot but the 2004 version is less likely to have such an inclination.

Solanki in action for England The 28-year-old celebrated his recall to the England one-day shirt with a half-century against the country of his birth at Trent Bridge on Wednesday as Michael Vaughan's men eased to a seven-wicket success and a 1-0 lead in the NatWest Challenge.

That disciplined effort followed an impressive hundred for his county against Gloucestershire in the C & G Trophy final at Lord's last Saturday.

"It is perhaps not for me to say whether I would have played differently in the past, others might be better judges," said Solanki.

"The previous two innings haven't required a search for runs, they have both required occupation of the crease and batting for a long time.

Solanki during his C&G final century "After the disappointment of Bangladesh and getting left out of the side I had to address a few aspects of my game and I went away and did that, put into practice in county cricket and fortunately it resulted in a recall.

"Being the first game back I didn't feel under pressure to get runs, I just wanted to go out there and do the best I could.

"If there was one thing I could change I would have liked to have been there at the end, I would have liked to have finished the job.

"I had it in my mind that one of the top order should be there at the end to get us home."

Worcestershire coach Tom Moody helped alter Solanki's trigger movements last winter, ensuring he stayed still for longer at the crease, and veteran Graeme Hick has imparted further advice.

The results have been outstanding as the Udaipur-born, Wolverhampton-raised batsman put an indifferent 2003 behind him.

Despite his maiden ODI century against South Africa, also at the Oval, and a satisfactory limited-overs return, Solanki mustered only 464 County Championship runs in 13 matches, which led to his inclusion in Worcestershire's second XI last August. He responded with 116 against Warwickshire.

A first-class average of 42 this year and the fact Craig Spearman, his nearest rival in one-day run gathering, is well adrift with 880 in one more innings than Solanki's 19, highlight the resurgence.

Coming back into a winning environment, moulded from a record-equalling seven straight Test victories, also helped.

"The Test success was definitely a contributing factor to the way we played - I don't think it is totally as a result of that because we have had a change of personnel - but the few guys that have come in that weren't involved can even take a great deal of confidence from the way the team has been playing," Solanki said.

"There are plenty of positives to talk about right now in English cricket."

For someone who left the regal province of Rajasthan at the age of eight, Solanki remains surprisingly cool about performing well against India, and attempted to focus on establishing himself in England's long-term plans, geared towards the 2007 World Cup.

"The importance of a one-day international is vast regardless what team you are playing, whether it is Australia, India or South Africa, anybody really," he said.

"They are big enough events in themselves without trying to figure out what opposition you are playing against and fortunately I have been picked."

Andrew Flintoff is fit to take his place tomorrow, after an x-ray revealed no fracture in his right thumb, despite the powerful blow from Sourav Ganguly's drive in Nottingham.

India arrived here as one of the favourites for the ICC Champions Trophy, which starts next week, but are without injured star batsman Sachin Tendulkar and have now lost three in a row.

They had a similar beginning to the 2003 World Cup, however, and reached the final after developing some momentum.

"It has been a tough time over the last few games and this is when you have to get together as a side and deal with the situation," said captain Ganguly.

"The players need to get their mindset right. I know they are working hard to put it right and it is not just the face value of the team but the results they have shown in the past which gives me hope we can turn things around."

Source: www.ecb.co.uk