England prepare for flat tracks

The England [ Images ] cricket team may not have the kind of preparation Australia [ Images ] went through to conquer their 'final frontier' but they took some steps towards it.

The visitors, expecting flat tracks in India [ Images ], asked the curator at the Brabourne stadium, in Mumbai [ Images ], to shave the grass from the practice wickets so that the could get a taste of things to come.

Also read: Kevin Pietersen is ready for India

England begin their tour with a practice game against the CCI President's XI from February 18 to 20, followed by a three-day warm-up match against the Board President's XI at Baroda from February 23 to 25.

The first Test will be played at Nagpur from March 1 to 5, followed by two Tests in Mohali and Mumbai.

The seven-match one-day series begins in the last week of March.