LONDON. June 8: India look to put dressing room rows Indifferent lortri and a rain sodden early British summer behind them on Thursday

when they face England at Edgbaston in the first Test of their three-match series, reports Reuter

The visitors, who have won just one Test match abroad in six years, start as underdogs against an English side showing signs of revival after a dismal tour of South Africa and the World Cup.

But if the Indians can follow the example set recently by captain Mohammad Azharua-dtn, they have a good chance of clinching their first Test series win since 1986, when Kapil Dev led them to victory — over England

■ Azharuddin is far different to the man he was a month ago. When he left India at the head of a 16-man squad in late April, he was unhappy with his batting and under pressure as

captain, but a dazzling show against the English counties has changed all that

The elegant middle-order batsman, who has had two spells with English county side Derbyshire, shook off an early injury to register scores of 119. 68 and 73 last month while his teammates struggled in the cold.

Finally. Just in case the English were doubting his form, he smashed 111 not out at Leicestershire in the final county match before the first Test, his century coming of 86 balls, the second 50 of It off just 27.

Questions over his captaincy still remain, and came to a head last week when opener Nayjot Sidhu quit the squad and returned home, citing ill-treatment by his captain

But Azharuddin dismissed the incident as an unnecessary controversy- that would not lower moral for the Tests

On the field. India have been inconsistent

Their batting has sometimes shone through the gloom of the English weather, with Azharuddin. Sidhu, Ajay Jadeja. Sachin Tendulkar and Vikram Rathore all chalking up centuries. But they will be looking to tighten up their fielding, which cost them vain able runs in the one-day internationals. The home side won that battle 2-0 after the first match was washed out in the rain.

As the English summer finally swings into view and wickets at 'fest venues Edgbas ton. Lord's and Trent Bridge dry out. the visitors will be looking for more bite from their bowlers

Azharuddin tips leg-spinner Anil Kuble as a match winner

at Edgbaston, despite a poor tour so far.

"1 am sure Anil will rise to the big occasion in the Test match? he said. "He fa that sort of cricketer and I am not worried at all about his form.

"We have several bowlers

who are proven wicket takers at Teat level and with our balsman getting rune In the matches with the counties, we are in good heart for the Test

A revamped England are similatjy confident after their bright one day performances

They welcome bark Essex middle-order batsman Nasser Hussain, who has already hit 85 against India this summer, and tn-form Nick Knight, re-

called to open the batting with Mike Atherton

Atherton, confirmed as skipper for the series, teams up with new coach and lellow-Lancastrian David Uoyd In an attempt to further lift England from one of their lowest cricketing ebbs.