"The series will be very challenging. The balance appears to be tilted in the favour of England as they have all rounder in their team, who would also be benefited by the home conditions," Durani said at a book release function here yesterday.

England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, recuperating after a surgery on his right ankle, is expected to be fit for the series while Paul Collingwood could also prove effective with his medium pace bowling.

Durani said Indian team desperately needs a genuine allrounder if they are to make their presence felt at international level.

"If India want to dominate in international cricket, an allrounder is a must for them. It was unfortunate that we could not produce a genuine allrounder after Kapil Dev." Durani, who made 1202 runs and took 75 wickets in 29 Test, said the onus would be on batsmen in the series.

"Batsmen will have to shoulder more burden in England. They will have to give their bowlers big scores, only then they can be successful in getting 20 wickets.