Raj blames poor preparation for defeat

Mithali Raj, the India women's captain, has said poor preparation was the reason for India's 4-0 defeat in England. Raj, who top-scored in the five-match series, said the English pitches were good to bat on and she was unable to explain why the other batsmen folded meekly.

"The girls probably prepared in the same way as they did for the Asia Cup [which India won in May]," Raj told the Hindustan Times. "They were not challenged in the Asia Cup as the other teams were not up to the mark. The fielders too, several of them making their debut, were not tested."

Raj said the unfamiliar conditions in England posed a challenge to the young side. "Now they know what to expect from stronger teams like England and Australia." Raj, who scored 162 runs at 81 from five matches, said the England bowlers were not penetrative but, unlike the Indians, they were disciplined.

"England were a much improved side since we played them in the Quadrangular in 2007," she said, adding that runs had come easily to her because of the way she played. "I read the opponents, know which bowlers to pick, go through their records and study how to get runs off them. The preparations give me an insight."

India are scheduled to tour Australia in October and Raj said the team will regroup before the series to work on the problems. "We need to work on our opening partnership so the middle order isn't pressurised. Australia are not tough but they have been in fine nick this season. Once you are in a good run, whatever you do tends to work."