Lords test 2011 : Predictions and discussion

[Number]

at least field placing can be improved , Dravid was almost hiding behind Dhoni , Laxman(2nd slip) also seemed very close to first slip. I hope these 2 things will be noticed by Duncan.

[Jayaram_IND]

India is never a good fielding team.Obviosly they were not used to the condns.They constantly kept slipping .Dhoni must practice keeping a little more in these condns.If india win or draw this man all will be forgotten.Maybe its because we dont look at the mistakes we do while fielding that it goes unnoticed .

[Jayaram_IND]

They claim to have the best 1-2-3 in the world .Its nothing close to gambhir sehwag dravid or langer hayden ponting.Its good to have defensive players but you need atleast one attacking batsman in your top 3.(which is maybe why they struggle in odis).

[saneindian]

Can't do much about the ground fielding as all our best players are poor or at best average fielders. What we can certainly do is to be a safe catching unit which we were through most of the last decade. Off late, we have been putting down a number of chances and thats an area the fielding coach will have to work on.

[Jayaram_IND]

More emphasis could me given on fielding right from the grass roots.maybe more fielding drills at the NCA or state associations could help improve our fielding.It may not help us now but maybe by 2020 we could have 5- 6 good fielders in our team.(Hope the 2020 thing doesnt sound like any governmnt plan!)

[ahilya]

Indian bowlers will run through the eglish side today by tea below 300 score if there is no rain today.yesterday was just another loosening day for our bowlers.they will get into rhythm today.

[J P K]

england 450/6 praveen banned zak unfit to bowl for two matches india 10/2 both openers gone end of day 2

[ganeshran]

England 335 all out . India 45 for 1

[Sid]

Eng 320 all out ,PK 4 wickets India 75 -1

[Sidhoni]

Eng 340 allout Ind 60/0

[Jayaram_IND]

England 330 and india 80 - 1 is my take

England 335 all out . India 45 for 1

Eng 320 all out ,PK 4 wickets India 75 -1

Eng 340 allout Ind 60/0

Looks like most of use are thinking in a similar way doesnt it?

[Roshanrocks]

England 377-7

[Jayaram_IND]

England 377-7

So you feel that the rapid pace at which england play will take more than 2 days for them to post a first inns total and it also looks likely especially sine only morgan looks like the agressive batsman out there .Wont be too bad if it happens and it will show how aggressive the team which aspires to be no.1 is.

[bihutoli]

India ki bamboo lagne wali hai!

[Arminder]

Could be early start eng 297 allout.... ind 150/5 with SRT*

[vamos_rafa]

Sloppy, clumsy India handed England the advantage: Hussain

LONDON: A "sloppy and clumsy" India have handed England the advantage in the opening Test, says former captain Nasser Hussain who feels the world number ones did not show the "smart cricket" which propelled them to the top. England made 127/2 on a rain-hit opening day of the ongoing match at the Lord's after Indians let slip the opportunity to grab more wickets. "This was a sloppy day for India - and, so early in the series, a big one for England. When Mahendra Singh Dhoni won a very important toss, you wondered what lay in store for the hosts' batsmen under grey skies and against a swinging ball. To finish on 127 for two felt like a small triumph," said Hussain. "They (the Indian bowlers) just weren't full enough with the new ball, which should have been pitched up repeatedly to entice the drive. Too often they dropped short and wide. "The India captain did not have his best day in charge, either. He's set himself high standards by winning just about everything he turns his mind to. But he missed a couple of tricks in the field and didn't get a glove on a chance from Trott that flew between him and Rahul Dravid at first slip," he explained. Hussain said the Indians didn't come across too eager on the field. "It all felt a bit clumsy from a team who have prided themselves on smart cricket during their rise to the top of the world rankings. But in some ways it's not too much of a surprise," Hussain said. "There's been a piecemeal feel to the start of India's tour. Some have arrived from the Caribbean, some haven't played any first-class cricket since January, some have been playing in the IPL. It felt a bit like they were making it up as they went along yesterday," he said. On Indian pace spearhead Zaheer Khan picking up a hamstring strain during the match, Hussain said it was a sign that the bowler is ageing fast. "Although he clearly remains a very skillful bowler, he seems to be ageing quickly and it was always asking a lot for a guy who has barely bowled with the red ball in recent months to come through unscathed here. "It's why I believe this England side will eventually overtake India in Test cricket. Their bowlers are always well-prepared, they get the right amount of rest and they don't play in the IPL. England know how to peak," he said. But Hussain still gave India the upperhand in the series. "That's not to say India won't win this series, because they still have loads of quality in their team, but this is not the start they needed," he said.

[Jayaram_IND]

Dont worry nasser india will 'PEAK AT THE RIGHT TIME'.looking forward to your comments on the third and fourth test matches.

[Roshanrocks]

yea the fielding did look sloppy... hope we do a better job today

[NareshK]

"It's why I believe this England side will eventually overtake India in Test cricket. Their bowlers are always well-prepared, they get the right amount of rest and they don't play in the IPL. England know how to peak," he said.

A couple of wickets in the first hour and this guy will be eating his words. At the end of the day, it only takes one mistake to get out.

[Roshanrocks]

So you feel that the rapid pace at which england play will take more than 2 days for them to post a first inns total and it also looks likely especially sine only morgan looks like the agressive batsman out there .Wont be too bad if it happens and it will show how aggressive the team which aspires to be no.1 is.

My honest prediction is that we might see more than 90 overs bowled today, If Zak doesnt bowl anymore and PK might not bowl well (considering he has been warned once) we have only Ishant, Bhajji and other part timers... The Englishmen might well up the ante and go become aggressive considering that these swing conditions might not last long and the pitch might become flat later on. They would like to go at our batsmen when the conditions are great for their bowlers... What i am hoping to happen is another matter :--D