*Official* First Test at Lord's

[weldone]

At some point, I would like to see how Prior-Broad and English tail play Zaheer once he's fit. Not to prove a point as an Indian-fan or something like that, but just to form my opinion on how good this English lower-order is, actually.

 

[weldone]

By the way, congratulations to England on the win. That Prior-Broad partnership made the difference I think. Broad has been superlative in this test (quite surprisingly to me, I must admit). And I am very happy the one English batsman I rate quite highly who has scored a superb double-century in this match. I'm happy with Dravid-Laxman-Raina-Mukund-Praveen-Ishant and even Gambhir to an extent. Sachin has had a forgettable test match, so has Dhoni. Harbhajan has been absolutely rubbish bar two spells (one in the first innings against Trott, the other in the second innings when he got his sole scalp).

I badly want Zaheer back in the second test.

 

[marc71178]

At some point, I would like to see how Prior-Broad and English tail play Zaheer once he's fit. Not to prove a point as an Indian-fan or something like that, but just to form my opinion on how good this English lower-order is, actually.

Can ask Dale Steyn and co if you want.

 

[Prad100w]

Good performance from England. Outplayed India completely. Superior bowling attack eventually proved too much for India. Also disappointed with the way some of the batsmen played on the final day. Playing out the day wasn't difficult on that wicket. But the bowling line up was too good for it. It will be interesting to see how they go about in Trent Bridge. Hoping for a good fight back to keep the series interesting.

 

[Outswinger@Pace]

Good win for England!

Was a very good test match. England thoroughly deserved to win as they played like a motivated unit.

I just managed to see the last day and Anderson's bowling was inspirational. India have more questions than answers at this stage. This epidemic of poor first test performances overseas is a cardinal sin for a top-ranked side. Coming from behind is challenging and never pleasant in any situation (outside the bedroom, that is)!

This England side just seems to have it. The talent, the killer instinct, the discipline and the ability to motivate each other to give the best team performance. I stand firm on my initial prediction of 2-1 for the hosts and India have to find a way of picking up 20 wickets in that one test. That could be Nottingham, IF they select the right team based on team requirements rather than individual reputations.

 

[weldone]

Can ask Dale Steyn and co if you want.

Prior, for one, has an average of 22 against SA while his average against every other country is over 39. Prior is the guy I fear the most in their lower-middle order, after the first test. If Zaheer can keep him at 22 I shall be very happy. Whether Zaheer can do that remains to seen though - and that's where I'm interested.

 

[Prad100w]

Was a very good test match. England thoroughly deserved to win as they played like a motivated unit.

I just managed to see the last day and Anderson's bowling was inspirational. India have more questions than answers at this stage. This epidemic of poor first test performances overseas is a cardinal sin for a top-ranked side. Coming from behind is challenging and never pleasant in any situation (outside the bedroom, that is)!

This England side just seems to have it. The talent, the killer instinct, the discipline and the ability to motivate each other to give the best team performance. I stand firm on my initial prediction of 2-1 for the hosts and India have to find a way of picking up 20 wickets in that one test. That could be Nottingham, IF they select the right team based on team requirements rather than individual reputations.

To be fair, When every series starts the same question would be hunting all the Indian fans. But the bowling has just performed well enough as the series goes on to make sure they don't lose much. That has been happening for the last 2 or 3 years. Whether that will happen here or not remains to be seen.

 

[Outswinger@Pace]

To be fair, When every series starts the same question would be hunting all the Indian fans. But the bowling has just performed well enough as the series goes on to make sure they don't lose much. That has been happening for the last 2 or 3 years. Whether that will happen here or not remains to be seen.

Arrogance is one reason, I'd think. BCCI's blatant disregard towards the level of preparation required for a test series. Unfortunately, the players on the field have to suffer the consequences.

Same thing happened in Centurion where the bowling looked beneath club-level. In Kingston on the first day, the batsmen were found severly lacking as well. Great sides of the past never conceded an inch or a session. India should take this shortcoming very, very seriously, IMHO!

 

[Prad100w]

Arrogance is one reason, I'd think. BCCI's blatant disregard towards the level of preparation required for a test series. Unfortunately, the players on the field have to suffer the consequences.

Same thing happened in Centurion where the bowling looked beneath club-level. In Kingston on the first day, the batsmen were found severly lacking as well. Great sides of the past never conceded an inch or a session. India should take this shortcoming very, very seriously, IMHO!

India were never a great team. They are just a merely good team. And they had done enough to hang on to the no:1 spot for a while. Probably things might change with this tour. I am just hoping for a fight back like what we had in SA. But not every day is Friday.

 

[honestbharani]

They may well be true, but still left unsaid by an English commentator imo. Tempting fate and all that.

I see you are doing the silentstriker part for England.. with the anti-jinxing..

 

[honestbharani]

On another note, should really be a cakewalk for England, the next test. India are out of it, the pitch tends to swing a bit apparently and our game breaking batsman and bowler are out. Not sure how fit Gambhir and Sachin are, as well.. Can see a whooping coming up. Ah well, better to England than to Australia

 

[Outswinger@Pace]

India were never a great team. They are just a merely good team.

That is true. But every good team must make an endeavour to make that transition into a great side. Raw material helps, but single-minded discipline and a sound working structure go a long way.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

On another note, should really be a cakewalk for England, the next test. India are out of it, the pitch tends to swing a bit apparently and our game breaking batsman and bowler are out. Not sure how fit Gambhir and Sachin are, as well.. Can see a whooping coming up. Ah well, better to England than to Australia

That is a possibility but India have too many good players for me to expect it to happen. Maybe they will shock us all and throw in Sehwag, be a bit much to expect him to score heavily though after so long out injured. Be tough for him even if he gets the 2 day game after the test as he has always struggled in England anyway.

 

[GIMH]

FTR, I never said it was UR fb posts.. I don't even know why you would assume it.

I didn't assume it but if you're talking about English CWers then I'm pretty sure I have all the guys you've got and the accusation was out of order.

My last words are that people shouldn't use such strong and evocative terms and not expect to be pulled up on it.

 

[miscer]

India were never a great team.

they're peak was the 6th best of all time at 130 soooo just saying.

 

[Burgey]

On another note, should really be a cakewalk for England, the next test. India are out of it, the pitch tends to swing a bit apparently and our game breaking batsman and bowler are out. Not sure how fit Gambhir and Sachin are, as well.. Can see a whooping coming up. Ah well, better to England than to Australia

That comes in December.

 

[GIMH]

Surprised I didn't read this anywhere else on here. Just found out that the ICC claim India were ahead of the over rate. LOLOLOL

 

[honestbharani]

Surprised I didn't read this anywhere else on here. Just found out that the ICC claim India were ahead of the over rate. LOLOLOL

did they give any details on how?

 

[Jacknife]

Surprised I didn't read this anywhere else on here. Just found out that the ICC claim India were ahead of the over rate. LOLOLOL

At the end of the Test, Sky commentary said India had a over rate of 13 in the 1st innings and 13.2 in the 2nd, I'd love to know how the 2 sides got such differing numbers.

 

[GotSpin]