Audley Boyd, Assistant Sport Editor

FLORENCE HALL, Trelawny:

THERE'S SOMETHING about tried, tested and proven qualities.

That's why Indian skipper Rahul Dravid is looking to himself first, and those in his squad who fit that description, to put their hands up in tough situations and lead their assault on the ICC WI Cricket World Cup.

"I believe that the experienced players who have been around a long time have got to do the difficult things, have got to do the things that are hard," he said of his floating position in the middle order.

Generally, he bats around Sachin Tendulkar and Saurav Ganguly, former captains who can open and bat anywhere in the middle order where Yuvraj Singh and wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni have also developed a dangerous ball-beating reputation.

Stayers

"We've got a lot of experience, we've played a lot of cricket so we feel that during those middle overs we can do a job for the team and also, I think even when chasing, and finishing games. I seemyself along with people like Yuvraj and Dhoni as people who can stay to the end and try to finish games and play according to the situation," Dravid explained.

Dravid (74 off 92 balls) and Tendulkar (61 off 59) led India's scoring in their first warm-up match on Tuesday against the Netherlands, as they racked up 300 then skittled out the Europeans for 118 to record a massive 182-run victory.

The Indian skipper felt it was a good start.

"I thought it was a good way to start the tournament. We spoke about having a big game today and to be like professionals as much as possible and I think we did that."

He added: "It's good and nice to take this forward into the game against the West Indies. These games allow you to play as many players as possible. We're still trying to fine-tune a few things. We're pretty comfortable in our minds and we know what sort of scores we're likely to play in the tournament so it's really a chance to give everyone in the squad a good bowling opportunity, and as much time in the middle with whatever skill they're doing."

Luuk van Troost, the Netherlands captain, was unhappy with his team's performance. They got of to a disastrous start with Mark Yonkman bowling a 12-ball first over with six no balls and a couple boundaries by Virender Sehwag, and their batting response, in the face of a run-a-ball asking rate, was pedestrian.

"We started a bit slow," the Dutch skipper said, then explained how their plan with pinch-hitter Bas Zuiderent (32) collapsed with his dismissal at 56-2.

"During our innings we adjusted our goal, and we said, "next goal, let's bat the 50 overs out".

"We didn't get our second goal and I'm very disappointed that it didn't work out.

"Bowling-wise and fielding-wise we were very competitive today.

We were a bit nervous in the first half hour but after that I thought we did really good and came back really well. But definitely, we need to do much, much better, so we've a few days to practice now, and an important game against Kenya (today).

"What we've to work on is obvious, our batting, that is very clear, we have to bat 50 overs. If we do not bat 50 overs we won't win one match, so that's what must get better and also bowling-wise, we bowled too many extras, I think we had 30-odd extras, that's a waste, 10, 12, not 30-odd, so these things we've to work on."

Besides the heavy defeat, the Netherlands suffered another loss when 30-year-old Edgar Schiferli, their opening bowler, injured his hamstring while warming up to be doubtful for the tournament.

"It's a big blow for us. He's our opening bowler, our main bowler and he got injured in the warm-up. I'm afraid he's out of the rest of the tournament. That will be a big blow for us."