***Official*** England in India

[Jungle Jumbo]

I really, really want to see Chawla bowl again (only saw highlights of WC semi), but I'm not sure the Indian side is balanced enough - they need a bit a seam bowling in there (does Sachin still bowl little medium pacers?). However the batting looks really strong with Chawla at eight, and I suppose that may sway things his way, seeing as none of the other bowlers bar Pathan can bat.

Cook
Strauss
Bell
Collingwood/Shah
Pietersen
*Flintoff
+Jones
Blackwell
Plunkett/Udal/Panesar/Anderson
Hoggard
Harmison

I'd go with that, Collingwood and Panesar my choices (It's obviously going to turn, why else would India play two seamers with no backup?). Go for broke - Panesar could rip through India on the last day, could any of the others?

Jaffer
Sehwag
*Dravid
Tendulkar
Laxman
+Dhoni
Pathan
Kumble
Harbhajan
Two of: Sreesanth/RP Singh/VRV Singh/Kaif/Chawla

Same side, Chawla and RP my selections. Sreesanth is too raw and wild to play as the only other seamer in the side.

Reading The Times of India yesterday (My grandparents have been to Goa and brought it back for me, it's from the day after the India squad was announced), Kiran More is quoted as having said that Pujara and 'other young batsmen' were talked about.

Anyone think that Pujara has just lifted himself above Gambhir, Jadhav, Dhawan, Uthappa etc with his WC performances?

 

[Neil Pickup]

Right, which Brits are joining me on the 4am shift, then?

 

[chalky]

Alarm clock and coffee at the ready

If India win the toss and bat first this could be a very long morning.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

However the batting looks really strong with Chawla at eight, and I suppose that may sway things his way, seeing as none of the other bowlers bar Pathan can bat.

Kumble has 6 FC hundreds (including 154*) and 3 Test fifties. Harbhajan has 2 Test fifties. Both average over 15.

 

[Barney Rubble]

Right, which Brits are joining me on the 4am shift, then?

You know I will.

 

[Jungle Jumbo]

Right, which Brits are joining me on the 4am shift, then?

I'm going for 5:30-6:00ish, if the first session is two hours I can see the end of it, then watch the highlights at lunch, then see a bit of the afternoon session whilst having my breakfast. I'll then go to school and risk getting kicked out of the computer room (normally full of spectacle-wearing kids messing with PowerPoint) by looking at the score.

 

[Neil Pickup]

If you guys are up, make sure you're on MSN. Conversation helps stimulate the mind.

 

[sirjeremy11]

Kumble has 6 FC hundreds (including 154*) and 3 Test fifties. Harbhajan has 2 Test fifties. Both average over 15.

I sort of compare Harbhajan's batting to Shoaib (old school) and Murali. They can smack out a few runs, but don't seem to have the patience or the technique to grind it out. Shoaib has certainly changed his tune in recent times. They are very much like the number 11 of old, who figured they were there for a good time, not a long time.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Right, which Brits are joining me on the 4am shift, then?

Does play actually begin at 4? Or is that the start of the coverage? 4 might be a bit optimistic for me.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

I'll be up, but I'm not British.

How unfortunate...

 

[TT Boy]

Got an essay to write so I will be working through the night to 4, going to have my laptop set up with Sportingindex.com on the go. Once sunlight appears, I’m off to the gym then Uni but I am assured by the bird down at the gym that cricket will be on the monitors.

 

[TT Boy]

Does play actually begin at 4? Or is that the start of the coverage? 4 might be a bit optimistic for me.

4.30 isn’t it?, I like the build up though, toss and pitch report et cetera gets you in the mood. Anyone know what Sky’s team is, Botham, Hussain and who else?

 

[BoyBrumby]

4.30 isn’t it?, I like the build up though, toss and pitch report et cetera gets you in the mood. Anyone know what Sky’s team is, Botham, Hussain and who else?

All very well for you soap-avoiding, tax-leeching studes; some of us have to go to work later!

 

[TT Boy]

All very well for you soap-avoiding, tax-leeching studes; some of us have to go to work later!

I work as well maybe not as many hours as you do but I'm a professional (gym, fitness instructor), I just build my work (and Uni) around the cricket.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

First day predictions?

If England win the toss...
- 240odd and 7 down at stumps.
- Cook out for a teen score.
- Pietersen 40odd.
- Pathan 2 wickets.

If India win the toss...
- 320odd and 6 down at stumps, 3 wickets in the final session.
- Tendulkar out to Harmison in the 20s.

I won't say who I think will win the toss. I fear commitment.

 

[superkingdave]

set my alarm for 25 past 4.

Predictions? well its been an awful week so far for England and i think it could get worse. India to win the toss and be 320-3 at the close.

 

[Barney Rubble]

First day predictions?

If England win the toss...
- 240odd and 7 down at stumps.
- Cook out for a teen score.
- Pietersen 40odd.
- Pathan 2 wickets.

If India win the toss...
- 320odd and 6 down at stumps, 3 wickets in the final session.
- Tendulkar out to Harmison in the 20s.

I won't say who I think will win the toss. I fear commitment.

If England win the toss...
- 270odd for 5 at stumps
- Cook out in the 30s
- Bell out in the 50s
- Pietersen 80* at stumps
- Chawla at least one wicket

If India win the toss....
- 300odd for 4 at stumps
- Tendulkar 100*
- Sehwag a quick 60
- Blackwell at least one wicket
- Flintoff at least two wickets

 

[BoyBrumby]

My expectations are so low anything slightly above an abject captitulation would be a moral victory in my book!

I'm tipping England to win the toss & a big 2nd wicket partnership from Cook & Bell. The scene's set for someone to be a hero!

 

[Tom Halsey]

(normally full of spectacle-wearing kids messing with PowerPoint)

How true.

 

[Pratters]

I'm tipping England to win the toss & a big 2nd wicket partnership from Cook & Bell. The scene's set for someone to be a hero!

**** and bull story right there.