Thorpe has faith in 'best one-day side for 15 years'

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Kevin Pietersen's side will start as underdogs against India tomorrow in Rajkot after a couple of woeful batting performances. But while being rolled over for 99 by the Stanford Superstars and demolished for 98 by a bunch of club cricketers has hardly given England the ideal start to a long winter on the road, Thorpe reckons the form shown against South Africa a couple of months ago offers hope.

"South Africa look to be fading a bit in one-day cricket but England are on the up and to win the NatWest series 4-0 was terrific," said the ex-Surrey batsman, who played 82 one-day internationals between 1993 and 2002.

"This is England's best one-day side for years, probably going back to the 1992 World Cup in Australia when they reached the final.

"Pietersen has so many options on both bowling and batting fronts and while playing India in India is always tough, they've got a chance. The first two matches are going to be huge. If they start slowly and lose in both Rajkot and Indore, it will be tough to claw back."

England were walloped 5-1 when they last visited India, two-and-a-half years ago with a team which included Pietersen, Andrew Flintoff and Paul Collingwood.

Thorpe said: "The batsmen have to make the most of the power plays and be able to score effectively off their spinners in the middle overs.

"On the bowling front, we've got the experience when it comes to pace but a lot could depend on how well our spinners perform. But if you are looking for one player who may hold the key, it's Flintoff. His return as a fully fit all-rounder has made such a difference."