Well its finally arrived.England are missing two frontline bowlers in Hoggard and Harmison but their strongest bowler is likely to be Panesar.

I truly believe if India bat well(and they have the talent) then they will win the series.

As for the weather there may be at least a day lost to rain so whoever wins the toss will be in pole position.

Hi Robert,
Yep, the day has finally dawned and its going to be one big test not only for India but England as well. I think England is doing pretty well at the moment as they were 100 + for the loss of one wicket when I last heard the score. India has to use the conditions and even though we all feel that our bowlers are really not that experienced - I would not put it past them to produce some fantastic results.

We must also remember - these tests are going to be the last ones for a number of the Indian team members - Sachin, Dravid, Ganguly, Kumble and each one of them will have an agenda and especially Sachin who has never scored a century on this field. India now that is batting second must ensure a lead large enough so as not bat again. If they are unable to do this - the match will head for a draw - nothing that you or I would care for.

Keep writing in - your view points are really good and it gives me also a lot to think about.

Ananth

Ananth

India fought back well.Not only did they take wickets but they also slowed the run rate down.Kumble showed he has still got it.Also India dropped Strauss when he was on 48 I will be suprised if there is much play today due to the weather.I think India need to restrict England to 400 to have a chance of winning,My money is on a draw.

Hi Robert,
Since I am not getting live feed at the moment - I have depend on my lap top for all the news and boy!! was I amazed from 242 /2 to 298 all out. I think Sreesanth and Zaheer khan did a lot of damage- much more then what the British or the Indians expected. Today as I post this - Sachin has got out for 37 and Jaffer has got his 50. Indias batting is long and now I wonder what can be done - either England skittle them out or they go and score a huge total which will ensure a win or a draw. I really do not the English winning this match.
I really think the team misses Flintoff and Harmisson. I think both would have a massive difference to the British side and guess at that stage, I would have been more prone to England going ahead and winning ( not drawing, mind you - but winning.)
What say?

Anath

Vey poor batting performance from India today so far,particulary Dhoni has played a lazy arrogant stroke.

England are missing Flintoff but their seamers bowled well today.Alan Donald is coaching the bowlers for England these days.

India are not out of it uet but anything over a 250 lead for England will mean trouble for India

Hi Robert,
Just day 3 and we have already been though one innings. The Indians never ever seem to take the initiative when they have been handed over all the possibilities for a win by all getting out as 203!!! I had felt that with the famed batting line up and the famous last words of all those senior cricketers " This is our last tour of England" and Sachin wanting to score his ton as this is one ground he has never done so - things would be ok and especially they way they went about dismissing the British in the first innings. I have a feeling the second innings will be different for the Indians as the British are not going to let the advantage very easily (The fact remains - India's bowling has much to be desired for!!).By the end of todays play if Strauss sticks around, which he very well can and then goes ballastic with the thoiught that he has great back up in Cook, Vaughn etc. Even if he gets out then - Piterson is not going to be left out of the party and thats the end of the match with England winning easily. The only hope is a draw for India and it depends on the experienced lot to ensure that as if they dont fire as they could not in the first innings its goodbye India and Sachin will never realize his dream!
Alan Donald was one heck of a bowler and England are really lucky to have him as their bowling coach. India still have to get their act together as I honestly dont think Greg Chappel took Indian cricket anywhere and I would really pity the team that takes him on as their coach. What do you feel?

Ananth it's raining at the moment so some time could be lost making the draw a possibility. Kumble is going to be an important player to keep England to a low score. Sreesanth could hit a golden patch again. In terms of batting, the big players owe India big runs. There is going to be lots of twists but England are in the box seat. I may actually go to the second test at Nottingham next week if I can get tickets. If I do, I will take some photos of the Indian fans and players for you but a lot depends on the weather of course.

I really hope we have a result as it will have a lot of bearing. As I see it - the main stumbling block are the top five bats of the England team and two are already down. If India can contain them today and then go all out tomorrow and do what they did in the first innings, there are reasonable chances that India may take the game to Englands door step. It all depends on the total England either put up are bowled out for.
One just cannot say as the wicket though well under covers will retain misture and it will give a lot of advantage to all three Indian bolwers - Zaheer, Sreesanth ( this is a fluke - at least thats what I feel) and Kumble. Kumble has a big role to play and Sachin can bowl some and fox a lot of people.
Well, lets see. I am watching the live scores on the internet. They will be showing the matches live from tomorrow on TV - through my dish. That however does not absolve you or I for exchanging notes!!
Ananth

One full days play left and just about (!!??) 200 odd runs to get and have lost three wickets - two being the biggies. Rahul Dravid got a raw deal but there was no doubt on Sachin. Kartick is really enjoying himself there and hope he can carry on the momentum tomorrow and also hope Ganguly will finally get out of his 30s and 40s and go for a big score.VVS Laman, as far as I am concerned is and has always been a liability - one who rests on his laurels ( the 200 plus against Australia - a long time ago)- he has reached the end of his carrer and its been accepted by everyone he is not the quickest on the field and bowling is out of the question as he is suposed to be a "Bat". I know its not a very nice thing to say but I really wonder as to why he ever was selected when there were so many more talented players ( who are now going as Team A ) to Zimabwe for a series.

What say? The game is still wide open and India did well again to restrict England. They have at least a day and half to play, provided there is no rain - which if it does can only have one result - a draw. However if it does not rain - India still have the fire power to take on the England attack.

Luckily, I am getting the feed live and can now watch the matches and see excatly what is heppening. I am keeping my fingers crossed on an Indian victory - lets see!!

Ananth

One in the eye for those who say test match cricket is boring eh!! .India will take a lot from the draw going into the next match.Surely their batsmen will deliver this time.Dhoni displayed a lot of mental strength to save India also.Laxman,Ganguly and Kartick all deserve praise,Lets hope the "Wall" finds his form.

Hi Robert,
All I can say is WHEW!!! and thank the English weather. KP did a great job by scoring that cetury as thats were I think changed around. All in all - The English team should have won. Its just one wicket and Dhoni that kept them at bay and then of course the bad light and rain.
We have had a lot of comments in the newspapers here on the "big5" as they are known - Sachin, Ganguly, Dravid, Laxman and Anil Kumble. I have a strong feeling from what I gather is that VVS has been given enough opportunities and its time he walked into the sunset. Sachin will never get that century he wanted at Lords - but all the same it gave them a reprive. Rahul has to find his form and become the wall all over again. Kartick was really worth his weight in gold and came good when he was required and to an extent as you pointed out VVS and Ganguly - but not enough.
What can one say about Dhoni ? Did you know that he is the Indian Vice Captian for the ODIs'? He really played a great innings and really did well by trying his level best to keep the tail from crumbling. He could have opted for glory and am sure he would have got his century but he had to curb his natural instincts and play some very controlled cricket.KP deserved the Man of the Match and surprisingly the pacers who were not experienced enough (as the newspaperw and cricket pundits put it) to take 20 wickets and they showed it could be done.
I think we really have a great series in view and trust me - I am not going a miss a day of the match scheduled to start on Friday. I really would not bother as to who won the toss as it would be the same for both sides with the ball swinging and to an exten -the number of extras that were there as byes. I also hope the big 5 get their act together and play the role that they are supposed to. If they do - I see no reason why India cannot win as the bowlers have shown their capabilities and it were the batsmen who let them down.
Will you be going to watch the match live? I would have loved to do that, but will have to do with a new channel that has been created dedicated totally to cricket - without ads. etc.
Lets wait and see how the next test goes off as I hope the rains do not interrupt and we have a game on our hands.
Test crciket can become as nail biting as ODIs' and yes -it does test a player to the limits and its surprising when the one you least expect to come good actually do a great job.

Well, Robert - lets see and will be here to exchange notes.
Ananth

Ananth

With a bit of luck I will be at the match on Saturday and the weather is set fair.The match unusually has a Friday start and the first two days have good weather forecasted.Both sides are evenly matched in my opinion.I hope my seats will be next to Indian fans.They are noisy but totally passionate about the game.The English are also passionate but in a different way.

Hi Robert,
You must be at the grounds ( hopefully) as I type this mail. The rains almost spoilt everything but anyway all things end well and we do have a match on out hands. I knew the ball would swing and Dravids decesion to bowl first was on the cards. I am sure England would have done the same. Three quick wickets did a great deal to boost the Indian camp but Cook and Collingwood are now well set and are looking good. Lets see where it takes us from here,
Ananth

Ananth

My day is Saturday and India are on top,If they bat well tomorrow then they will win.Anything over a 50 run lead will put them in the box seat

Hi Ananth,

Robert is at the ground and sitting by the scoreboard, so look out for him! He's taken a few photos for you which he will try and post later on when he gets back. His only regret is that you are not there with him. I think it would have been good if you both could have been able to spend the day together as cricket nuts and not cancer victims and he would have really appreciated the cricket banter between the two of you. Take care.

Love from Lorraine