Snape excited by India clash

England downed Zimbabwe on Wednesday

Spinner Jeremy Snape thinks he may have a few tricks up his sleeve to deal with India's top batsmen when England play a must-win Champions Trophy match on Sunday.

Snape was preferred to Test incumbent Ashley Giles for Wednesday's victory over Zimbawe because of his lower-order batting ability.

The Gloucestershire man is confident that despite a niggling rib injury he will be fit to play at the Premadasa Stadium in a play-off to decide who will go through to the semi-finals.

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I am from Stoke, and it does not get very hot there

Jeremy Snape

And he will use memories of last January in Madras, when he dismissed both openers Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag to set up an exciting finish, as a confidence boost.

"They are probably the best players of spin in the world - and they are used to these conditions," he said.

"It is very exciting playing against these top players of spin - and, especially on very flat wickets, it has been a baptism of fire.

"But I am up for the competitive edge of it and I see it as a challenge."

Snape admits that he may not get as much turn as a classic off-spinner, but believes there is more to the one-day game than taking wickets.

"It is a case of trying to adapt your naive tactics to get the better of them," he added.

"I feel I am there to try to tie down the scoring as much as I can. But if it is not spinning you have to look for a change of pace or other variation."

Motivated

Snape remembers Tendulkar's lbw dismissal in Madras with understandable satisfaction.

And he was struck too by the reaction of the crowd when he eliminated their hero from the equation.

"He is a great player. But he made a mistake that day, and I benefited from it," he said.

Snape is undaunted by Tendulkar

"You almost feel like you have done something wrong when you get Tendulkar out. The crowd goes silent, and it all seems to be your fault."

India recovered to win that match, although the six-match series was shared.

And the teams know each other well, having played seven Tests and 10 one-day internationals in the last 12 months.

In limited-overs matches, the spoils are shared 5-4 in India's favour, with one match ruined by rain, but Snape is one man looking to even that up.

"You are motivated by playing for England, and the games here are very competitive," he said.

"If my chance comes I will be trying my hardest - I'll have to."