Lords battle for test supremacy (Preview)

For a purist, English summer is definitely one to switch over to. For them, amidst all the lure and popularity of twenty-20 cricket at the global stage, test cricket is the format that defines the true champions in the game. And, at the home of cricket, Lord’s, from Thursday, two champion test sides will begin their battle for the supremacy in the format, considered to be pinnacle of the game. Thursday’s fixture, 2000th test, will also mark start of second half of English summer of international cricket following a not so exciting series against touring Sri Lanka.

By the look of set-up of both the teams and their recent form in the test cricket, home side, England taking on India has all the making of one cracker of a series.  It doesn’t get better than this: number one test side, India against a side that trails it by a whisker in the ICC rankings. Not only number one spot will be in line, the series will witness a  clash between the best batting lineup in the world that India have and England’s bowling unit, regarded by many as premier one in the business. Strategy wise, the interesting part will be how Indian coach Duncan Fletcher, who shot to prominence by tutoring England for many years, plans to derail his former charges on their own soil.

Of late, England’s test cricket has only seen an upward rise emerging as one of the top sides. Their series against India follows a very quiet 1-0 win over relatively weaker side Sri Lanka early this summer. The home team might have dominated the majority of proceedings but lacked propensity to seal the things. That doesn’t make them a bad side, though.

All of their top seven batters are in a terrific format. Skipper Andrew Strauss struggled for runs against Sri Lanka, but, scored heavily against India in a tour game for Somerset. That should have done world of good for the English captain, and, scoring against his nemesis Zaheer Khan was the highlight of his innings. His deputy and opening partner Alistair Cook is in form of his life, number three Johnathan Trott has emerged as the run machine for his side in last couple of years and star batsman Kevin Pietersen signaled his return to the form by scoring two trademark half-centuries against Sri Lanka. Stylish Ian Bell gives stability in the middle order, Eoin Morgan punch and wicketkeeper Matt Prior some muscle to the English batting lineup. The tail isn’t bad either.

In bowling, James Anderson is best when there is swing and seam movement on offer, and, tall Chris Tremlett knows a thing or two about how to bounce batsmen out. Indian batsmen, over the years, have shown their discomfort against rising ball, this could well make Tremlett a key member of English side in the series. Off spinner Graeme Swann, bracketed by many as the best spinner in the world, will have a task on hands against India that possess incredible players of spin.  English management will have to sweat it out for filing up the fourth spot in the bowling unit. Out of form Stuart Broad might edge out Tim Bresnan for former having more match practice.

India, on their part, also appear to have all their bases covered. If anything, some of them, bowlers in particular, appear to be short of match practice. Six cricketers, most of them regulars, join the squad following a long break that saw them miss the West Indies tour. This showed in their tour game against Somerset: bowlers appeared lethargic and batsmen couldn’t acclimatize to the swinging and seam conditions of England.

All that will count for nothing on Thursday for test cricket is all together a different ball game.  India have all the aces when it comes to the batting resources. Virendar Sehwag’s absence for the first two tests at least is a big loss though. Sehwag’s unavailability opens the door for young opener Abhinav Mukund who didn’t do that badly in his first impression on the Caribbean tour to partner Gautam Gambhir. Indian skipper MS Dhoni might spring a surprise by including Yuvraj Singh in the eleven and ask him to open. You aren’t quite sure the way Dhoni operates.

The tourists have a fabulous trio of batting star occupying three, four and number five spot in the lineup. Rahul Dravid ushers solidity, and, VVS Laxman is Ian Bell version, completed one though. All the eyes will be on Sachin Tendulkar for the master blaster is eyeing his 100th ton in international cricket. There isn’t a better place than Lord’s with packed stands to achieve the feat.

Suresh Raina didn’t do any harm to his test match credentials by smashing a ton against Somerset. As of now, he has sealed number six spot that means Yuvraj will have to wait for more time for a place in playing eleven. Dhoni himself hasn’t had a good test series against West Indies. Indian captain would be keen to set the record straight.

India’s Achilles Heel could well be their bowling on the tour. The return of Zaheer Khan and S Sreesanth should make it a better bowling unit, but, both of them looked jaded in the tour game.  Recharged Ishant Sharma who was at deadliest best on Windies tour will be the man to watch out in the series. Ace off-spinner Harbhajan Singh will have an important role to play against England batsmen, not known for their ability to play spin. Bhajji will be upbeat to perform well and shut up the critics who believe Swann is the best spinner in the world.

Having hang of the conditions and going by their form in recent past, England start favourites to go 1-0 up in the series. But, India, under Dhoni, know how to turn odds to their favour.

ENGLAND Andrew Strauss (capt), Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Eoin Morgan, Matt Prior (wk), Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, Chris Tremlett, James Anderson, Tim Bresnan

INDIA MS Dhoni (capt/wk), Gautam Gambhir (vice-capt), Virendar Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Abhinav Mukund, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Harbhajan Singh, Amit Mishra, Zaheer Khan, Sreesanth, Munaf Patel, Ishant Sharma, Praveen Kumar