General / Editor / 30 June 2007 / Leave a Comment

Sachin Tendulkar believes the conditions India are experiencing in Ireland have set them up nicely for the upcoming Test series against England.

The 34-year-old cracked 93 to help India beat South Africa by six wickets at the Future Cup in Belfast on Friday and tie the series at 1-1.

In the process, the Indian legend became the first man to pass 15,000 runs in one-day internationals and he was delighted with his achievement.

"It is satisfying, a wonderful moment," he said. "This match was extremely important for us, to keep us alive in the series."

India take on the Proteas in the series decider on Sunday and then Pakistan in Glasgow on Tuesday - with markets for those games yet to develop - before they begin their preparations for the upcoming three-match Test series against England, which starts on July 27 at Lord's.

Tendulkar believes that the chilly conditions experienced in Northern Ireland have been the ideal preparation for taking on Michael Vaughan's men.

"We won't get conditions worse than this," he added.

"It is absolutely freezing, and to meet the challenge against our opponents and the conditions is very encouraging.

"I've never encountered conditions like this in my entire career - so before the England tour, this is wonderful."

Fresh on the back of a 3-0 drubbing of West Indies in the five-day game, England are trading as the 2.16 favourites to make it two series victories out of two this summer, while India can be supported at 3.4 and the draw at 3.8.