Hello and welcome back to my blog
Tonight (NZ time) Lords will host the 2000th match of test cricket. England and India begin their 4 match series at the 'home' of cricket and it would appear that only weather could disrupt this most brilliant of match ups as the two top ranked sides do battle, Rahul Dravid returns to the ground where he made his debut in 1996 and Sachin Tendulkar sits on 99 international centuries. I do feel a slight shiver of fear at the likelihood that this may be a boring draw going on Lords' wickets of the last decade or so, but on the other hand the bowling attacks of both sides may just comprise enough talent to avoid this disappointing possibility. As always the ability to master the Lords' Slope will be a crucial factor in this match but as for the series overall I think England are the favourites for no better reason than home advantage. For in these two teams we have opposites in terms of conditions, style and attitude to cricket. I have always said that if either team wishes to be the undisputed number-one test side they must prove it in the other's conditions.
There are plenty of factors that will likely play a part. For instance, many of England's players have just been part of their domestic 2020 competition while India have just played a tough test series in the West Indies, but counterbalance this with their surprisingly poor showing in the warm up game against Somerset where their attack was flayed to all parts (by Strauss for a time which may be something to note - his form will be crucial and in particular against Zaheer Khan the left-arm swing bowler). Khan is one key bowler for India as his ability to get both Strauss and Trott (who I believe has a weakness to good left arm pace) will be essential to breaking up the most effective top order going around. Sharma is the other key bowler: the match up against Plunket will be fascinating but I would offer a piece of advice to the lanky Indian quick: pitch the ball up a tad more than you normally would - Glenn McGrath learnt that (particularly at Lords) that you give yourself the best chance of swing and seam (as a tall bowler) if you do that. This may seem like common sense but... For England they must hope that Alastair Cook's run of form continues for at least as long as Strauss is out of form and that Pietersen can destroy Harbhajan Singh (who perhaps should change to left arm orthodox for those contests).
I suspect that the swing and seam of Anderson, Plunket and Broad/somebody better will do for India in one of the test matches even against their very experienced batting line up, whereas India will need to rely slightly more on batting pressure on the flatter wickets. The battle of the offspinners really isn't that important - it should be fun to watch Swann contend with right-handed Indians though (basically the opposite of his preferred victims i.e. left-handed-anybody-but-an-indian).
In the end I will simply cross my fingers for a tight contest and sit back to enjoy what could be classic series and a fine way to celebrate 2000 examples of my favourite sport. Expect plenty of pomp and ceremony at Lords this week and why not - there are far worse ways to celebrate this milestone as you will see below
NEWS
- New Zealand Cricket has confirmed Damian White of Australian domestic cricket circles as the new bowling coach for the Black Caps. Some of you may remember him as a bowling option of average quality when you played games like EA Cricket 2004 or International Cricket Captain 2005. That has been my answer to people asking 'who?' because that's all I really know about him - I hope NZC know more than that or we are in trouble
- The ICC announced the idea of making the championship final (held once every 4 years now) a timeless test. To which I can only gape and say 'yes, lets celebrate the survival of test cricket to its 2000th match in 2011 by announcing a return to the most ridiculous part of its past! Forget about introducing it to the USA market where they already scorn the idea of 50-over cricket let alone 5-day cricket or this outdated suggestion'
Will keep this post short in anticipation of the test series in England but expect regular posts during that contest
Well that's it from here and I hope you join me again
It's good bye for now
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