'Mischievous' Sreesanth invites the boos
A leading edge from Ian Bell fell almost a yard short; but Sree dived, took it on the bounce and flung the ball high in the air as if he had taken it cleanly.
India 24/1 at stumps, trail by 197 runs
India lost Mukund in the very first ball but Dravid and Laxman steadied the ship to take the visitors to 24/1 at stumps on Day 1 of second Test against England.
Praveen fined for arguing with umpire
Praveen Kumar was fined 20 percent of his match fee for dissent at an umpire's decision during Day 1 of the second Test against England at Trent Bridge.
India lose points, but still No.1 in Tests
India maintained their number one status in the latest ICC Test Rankings but lost a couple of rating points after drawing two matches in their 1-0 series triumph over a
West Indian captain Darren Sammy was surprised that India shut the shop early and did not go full throttle for the victory in the final Test of the three-match series.
India's decision to settle for an easy draw rather than push for a win in the third Test against the West Indies may have surprised many but coach Duncan Fletcher
Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni defended the decision not to press for a win in the third and final Test against the West Indies, saying that his side could have
Graeme Swann on Sunday became the world's number one ODI bowler for the first time in his career after the off-spinner's eight-wicket haul helped England to a 3-2 series win ...
India's bowling coach Eric Simmons says in-form pacer Ishant Sharma could prove to be a handful in the upcoming four-match Test series against England.
Former wicketkeeper-batsman Rodney Marsh could be in the offing to replace Andrew Hilditch as Cricket Australia's chairman of selectors.
India settled for a draw in the third and final Test against the West Indies after rock-solid century-maker Shivnarine Chanderpaul and the home bowlers gave them a fight on Sunday.
The list of cricketers who have battled depression keeps getting longer with former New Zealand pacer Iain O'Brien becoming the latest to admit that he suffered from the ailment during ..
.
Discarded Test batsman Yasir Hameed is eyeing a return to the Pakistan cricket team after having paid a fine and served a ban for a breach of code of conduct ...
England cricket captain delights in ?perfect? salvo
England captain Andrew Strauss said his side had come close to producing the perfect bowling performance to take 20 India wickets during a crushing 196-run in the first Test here at Lord's.
However, Strauss warned England not to let their standards drop with the second Test of this four-match series starting at Trent Bridge on Friday.
Stuart Broad, reverting to a fuller length, led the way early on with four for 37 as India were bowled out for 286 in reply to England's first innings 474 for eight declared.
And on Monday it was the turn of fellow seamer James Anderson to take centre stage, with the Ashes star returning figures of five for 65 as India, chasing what would have been a Test record fourth innings victory total of 458, were dismissed for 261. India may have been missing injured opener Virender Sehwag, out with a shoulder injury, at Lord's but they still boasted a strong batting order including Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and Venkatsai Laxman.
But not even the celebrated trio could get India to a total of 300 in either innings, with first Broad and then Anderson denying Tendulkar, still stuck on 99 international hundreds, a maiden Test century at the ground.
"It was an outstanding bowling performance by the whole attack over five days," said Strauss.
"You do have to work hard for your wickets here and I think it showed the value of persistent lines and lengths.
"That's the only way of taking wickets here and I think we did that brilliantly," added Strauss who has spent all his professional career with Lord's-based county side Middlesex. "I think over the two innings that was as close to the perfect bowling performance we've had in the last two years and that is saying a lot because we have had a lot of exceptional bowling performances."
Ashes-holders England will replace India at the top of the ICC's Test Championship table if they win this series by two Tests.
But Strauss added: "We are aware it's the opening salvo in the series. There's a lot of cricket still to be played, so we can't get too satisfied with ourselves. We have to be ready to go on Friday."
Broad, having struggled lately, looked back to somewhere near his best with the ball at Lord's.
He also made an unbeaten 74 as, with Matt Prior (103 not out), he helped rally England's second innings from the depths of 62 for five to a total of 269 for six declared.
"When your place in the side is called into question, it's a big test of character as much as anything," Strauss said of Broad. "Stuart showed immense character over the five days. He bowled very well and his second innings 70-odd was crucial to the outcome of the game.
"It was a timely reminder to everyone of what a great talent he is."
Despite Broad's all-round contribution, Kevin Pietersen was named man-of-the-match for his first innings 202 not out that laid the platform for England's victory.
Pietersen's innings began in overcast, seam-bowler friendly conditions although India were handicapped by the loss for much of this match of left-arm quick Zaheer Khan, who broke down with a hamstring strain.
"That was one of the great innings I've seen since being involved with the England side, in very difficult circumstances," Strauss said of Pietersen's double century.
"He had to be smart in the way be played their seamers, he had to graft and then when we had the opportunity to attack, he attacked."
England came into this contest on the back of seven wins in their previous eight Test series (the other was drawn away to South Africa) and Strauss said: "To be No 1, you have to grab your opportunities and I think we did that very well in this game.
"We have demonstrated that, when we play well, we are a match for anyone."
However, Strauss warned England not to let their standards drop with the second Test of this four-match series starting at Trent Bridge on Friday.
Stuart Broad, reverting to a fuller length, led the way early on with four for 37 as India were bowled out for 286 in reply to England's first innings 474 for eight declared.
And on Monday it was the turn of fellow seamer James Anderson to take centre stage, with the Ashes star returning figures of five for 65 as India, chasing what would have been a Test record fourth innings victory total of 458, were dismissed for 261. India may have been missing injured opener Virender Sehwag, out with a shoulder injury, at Lord's but they still boasted a strong batting order including Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and Venkatsai Laxman.
But not even the celebrated trio could get India to a total of 300 in either innings, with first Broad and then Anderson denying Tendulkar, still stuck on 99 international hundreds, a maiden Test century at the ground.
"It was an outstanding bowling performance by the whole attack over five days," said Strauss.
"You do have to work hard for your wickets here and I think it showed the value of persistent lines and lengths.
"That's the only way of taking wickets here and I think we did that brilliantly," added Strauss who has spent all his professional career with Lord's-based county side Middlesex. "I think over the two innings that was as close to the perfect bowling performance we've had in the last two years and that is saying a lot because we have had a lot of exceptional bowling performances."
Ashes-holders England will replace India at the top of the ICC's Test Championship table if they win this series by two Tests.
But Strauss added: "We are aware it's the opening salvo in the series. There's a lot of cricket still to be played, so we can't get too satisfied with ourselves. We have to be ready to go on Friday."
Broad, having struggled lately, looked back to somewhere near his best with the ball at Lord's.
He also made an unbeaten 74 as, with Matt Prior (103 not out), he helped rally England's second innings from the depths of 62 for five to a total of 269 for six declared.
"When your place in the side is called into question, it's a big test of character as much as anything," Strauss said of Broad. "Stuart showed immense character over the five days. He bowled very well and his second innings 70-odd was crucial to the outcome of the game.
"It was a timely reminder to everyone of what a great talent he is."
Despite Broad's all-round contribution, Kevin Pietersen was named man-of-the-match for his first innings 202 not out that laid the platform for England's victory.
Pietersen's innings began in overcast, seam-bowler friendly conditions although India were handicapped by the loss for much of this match of left-arm quick Zaheer Khan, who broke down with a hamstring strain.
"That was one of the great innings I've seen since being involved with the England side, in very difficult circumstances," Strauss said of Pietersen's double century.
"He had to be smart in the way be played their seamers, he had to graft and then when we had the opportunity to attack, he attacked."
England came into this contest on the back of seven wins in their previous eight Test series (the other was drawn away to South Africa) and Strauss said: "To be No 1, you have to grab your opportunities and I think we did that very well in this game.
"We have demonstrated that, when we play well, we are a match for anyone."
© AFP
Dhoni confronts Zaheer poser after England defeat
India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was facing up to the prospect of being without strike fast bowler Zaheer Khan in Friday's second Test against England at Trent Bridge.
The tourists will go into that match 1-0 down in a four-Test series following a convincing 196-run defeat in the opener at Lord's on Monday.
India played much of the first Test a bowler light, in what was only a specialist four-man attack to start with, after Zaheer broke down early on with a hamstring injury.
Four years ago at Trent Bridge, the left-arm quick returned match figures of nine for 134 as India beat England by seven wickets, a victory that proved decisive during a 1-0 win in a three-Test series.
But the chances of a repeat display in this campaign look slim and, with a one-day series to follow, Dhoni said 50-over world champions India would not take any undue risks with the 32-year-old Zaheer.
"It became quite tough for us after losing Zaheer Khan in the first session on the first day," Dhoni told reporters at Lord's after the conclusion of the 2,000th Test of all-time, and the 100th between England and India.
"It was very difficult to bowl with three bowlers.
"We just needed that one extra bowler and things could've been different.
"We have three days but I'm not 100 percent sure if we will play him or not (at Trent Bridge).
"It is a long series and we don't want to risk any individual if he is only 90 percent fit." England captain Andrew Strauss, himself in charge of a four-man attack, said: "It's never easy when you lose one of your four frontline bowlers, but these are the cards you are dealt sometimes."
And Kevin Pietersen, man-of-the-match at Lord's for his 202 not out in the first innings, said he hoped England could continue to pile on the overs for India's seamers.
"Without Zaheer, the other bowlers had to work really hard.
"PK (Praveen Kumar) bowled around 60 overs, Ishant Sharma would also have been very tired and that just leads us into the second Test where they'll be even more tired if something else happens."
India, if Zaheer is ruled out at Trent Bridge, will have to decide between the fast but erratic Shanthakumaran Sreesanth or the more reliable Munaf Patel to fill the vacancy.
Another headache for the tourists is that the likes of medium-pacer Kumar, who took a Test-best five for 106 in England's first innings and fellow seamer Sharma, impressive with four for 59 in the hosts' second, have just a few days to recover from an unexpectedly heavy workload at Lord's.
"It was quite difficult in terms of resources," said Dhoni. "But I felt the fast bowlers did a very good job -- Praveen bowled really well in the first innings and Ishant bowled well in the second innings.
"Both of them bowled close to 60 overs each in a Test (Kumar had 60.3 overs and Sharma 54)."
India also saw opener Gautam Gambhir suffer an elbow injury fielding at short leg while Sachin Tendulkar had to bat out of position in India's second innings as well after spending much of Sunday's fourth day off the field with a viral infection.
"Most of our batsmen were batting in different slots from their original number," said Dhoni.
"Rahul (Dravid) opened, Sachin batted at a different number, Gautam batted at a different number. That also added pressure."
Dhoni added: "Most of the things that could have gone in the game really went wrong. It was tough for both our bowlers and batsmen."
The tourists will go into that match 1-0 down in a four-Test series following a convincing 196-run defeat in the opener at Lord's on Monday.
India played much of the first Test a bowler light, in what was only a specialist four-man attack to start with, after Zaheer broke down early on with a hamstring injury.
Four years ago at Trent Bridge, the left-arm quick returned match figures of nine for 134 as India beat England by seven wickets, a victory that proved decisive during a 1-0 win in a three-Test series.
But the chances of a repeat display in this campaign look slim and, with a one-day series to follow, Dhoni said 50-over world champions India would not take any undue risks with the 32-year-old Zaheer.
"It became quite tough for us after losing Zaheer Khan in the first session on the first day," Dhoni told reporters at Lord's after the conclusion of the 2,000th Test of all-time, and the 100th between England and India.
"It was very difficult to bowl with three bowlers.
"We just needed that one extra bowler and things could've been different.
"We have three days but I'm not 100 percent sure if we will play him or not (at Trent Bridge).
"It is a long series and we don't want to risk any individual if he is only 90 percent fit." England captain Andrew Strauss, himself in charge of a four-man attack, said: "It's never easy when you lose one of your four frontline bowlers, but these are the cards you are dealt sometimes."
And Kevin Pietersen, man-of-the-match at Lord's for his 202 not out in the first innings, said he hoped England could continue to pile on the overs for India's seamers.
"Without Zaheer, the other bowlers had to work really hard.
"PK (Praveen Kumar) bowled around 60 overs, Ishant Sharma would also have been very tired and that just leads us into the second Test where they'll be even more tired if something else happens."
India, if Zaheer is ruled out at Trent Bridge, will have to decide between the fast but erratic Shanthakumaran Sreesanth or the more reliable Munaf Patel to fill the vacancy.
Another headache for the tourists is that the likes of medium-pacer Kumar, who took a Test-best five for 106 in England's first innings and fellow seamer Sharma, impressive with four for 59 in the hosts' second, have just a few days to recover from an unexpectedly heavy workload at Lord's.
"It was quite difficult in terms of resources," said Dhoni. "But I felt the fast bowlers did a very good job -- Praveen bowled really well in the first innings and Ishant bowled well in the second innings.
"Both of them bowled close to 60 overs each in a Test (Kumar had 60.3 overs and Sharma 54)."
India also saw opener Gautam Gambhir suffer an elbow injury fielding at short leg while Sachin Tendulkar had to bat out of position in India's second innings as well after spending much of Sunday's fourth day off the field with a viral infection.
"Most of our batsmen were batting in different slots from their original number," said Dhoni.
"Rahul (Dravid) opened, Sachin batted at a different number, Gautam batted at a different number. That also added pressure."
Dhoni added: "Most of the things that could have gone in the game really went wrong. It was tough for both our bowlers and batsmen."
© AFP
India's first Test blues
India's display against England in the first Test in the much anticipated series stayed true to the unfortunate trend they have established in first matches. They struggled with both bat and ball and there was more room for improvement than positives from the first Test. For most teams - across all sports - this would be a sign on things to come. A bad start can often culminate in a horrible series loss. But in India's case, a faltering start has often been the stepping stone to a historic series win - especially, in recent times.
Indian punctuality has been well documented and made fun of, chiefly for being non-existent, but do the Indians' troubles of turning up on time extend to the cricket field as well? And no, we're not talking of Sourav Ganguly keeping Steve Waugh waiting for the toss here! India have struggled to make a positive start in most Test series, especially recent ones. It matters little whether it's home or away, whether they are favourites or underdogs, whether the full strength team plays or not. True, they have had winning starts too, but it has always been through a comeback during the later part of the Test. The Indians have always had to contend with a major collapse or a poor bowling performance before they pulled up their socks.
The last time India made a good opening was more than two years ago: against New Zealand in March 2009, ironically away from home. India has never had a promising start to a series since they were ranked the No. 1 Test team in December 2009. On the other hand, they have also never lost a series since they reached the pinnacle.
Here is the list of first Tests India have played since March 2009:
First Test vs New Zealand, 18 March 2009: Result - India won by 10 wickets
This was the last time India started a Test series with a thorough performance. India bowled out New Zealand twice for 279 - while scoring a mammoth 520 either side of those totals thanks to a superb 160 by Tendulkar. Harbhajan Singh too was in the kind of form that he would kill to have right now, picking up 6 wickets to help India chase down a paltry 39 runs to seal a superb start.
Series Result: India won 1-0
First Test vs Sri Lanka, 16 Nov 2009: Result - Match drawn
Having amassed over 400 runs in the first innings, the Indians were made to sweat it out when the Sri Lankans dug deep and put on 760 runs when it was their turn to bat. It was left to Gautham Gambhir and Sachin Tendulkar to defy the Lankans in the second innings with hard fought hundreds as India salvaged a draw.
Series Result: India won the series 1-0.
First Test vs Bangladesh, 17 Jan 2010: Result - India won by 113 runs
Prior to the series, Virender Sehwag had infamously said that the Bangladesh attack wasn't good enough to skittle the Indians out cheaply. After being sent into bat, India were bowled out for 243 thanks to some spirited bowling by Shahadat Hossain and Shakib al Hasan. Some good work by the Indian bowlers and a gritty performance with the bat in the second essay saw India escape some scathing criticism as they managed to win by 113 runs.
Series Result: India won the series 2-0
First Test vs South Africa, 6 Feb 2010: Result - India lost by by an innings and 6 runs
India's first series against a top nation after they were ranked No. 1 started in disastrous fashion as South Africa, with the help of a fiery Dale Steyn and the star batting duo of Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis, consigned them to an embarrassing innings loss. India's only positive sign was the batting form of Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag - who notched up tons.
Series Result: Series drawn 1-1
First Test vs Sri Lanka, 18 July 2010: Result - India lost by 10 wickets
One of the many series involving the subcontinent countries saw India start off again on a losing note. In reply to Sri Lanka's mammoth 520, India were bowled out for just 276 and asked to follow on. In a much more spirited second innings reply, India managed to get a lead of 94. However, that was never going to be enough and Sri Lanka won by 10 wickets. And, of course, Muttiah Muralitharan became the first person to reach 800 Test wickets in India's second innings.
Series Result: Series drawn 1-1
First Test vs Australia, 1 Oct 2010: Result - India won by 1 wicket
Chasing 216 to win and take an unassailable lead against the former champions, India were staring down the barrel at 124/8 with 92 runs still to get. VVS Laxman and Ishant Sharma then forged a superb stand to defy the Australians and take India to a famous win.
Series Result: India won 2-0
First Test vs New Zealand, 4 Nov 2010: Result - Match Drawn
With a score of close to 500 in the first innings, there was nothing to suggest that India would just about scrape through in this Test. But Chris Martin had other ideas - his stunning burst left India in dire straits at 15/5 in the second innings. It was left to VVS Laxman and Harbhajan Singh (who got to his first 100 in the process) to help India just about draw the Test.
Series result: India won 1-0
First Test vs South Africa, 16 Dec 2010: Result - India lost by an innings and 25 runs
MS Dhoni's men were blown away by Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel in the first innings as India were skittled out for 136. A double hundred by Jacques Kallis and tons from Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers gave South Africa a commanding 484 run lead and despite a fighting 100 by Sachin Tendulkar in the 2nd innings, India fell way short.
Series result: Drawn 1-1
First Test vs West Indies, June 20, 2011: Result - India won by 63 runs
Having elected to bat first, India were in complete disarray losing six wickets with just 85 runs on the board. It was left to Harbhajan Singh and Suresh Raina to forge a defiant partnership of 146 runs to give the Indian team a chance to win.
Series result: India won 1-0.
Even though India won only the first Test in their previous series against West Indies, they had been far more dominant in the next two Tests and only rain prevented wins in them as well. The first Test blues held true for the current England tour also, but given that India have a long history of starting badly and then bouncing back, the England team will have to be wary in spite of the drubbing they have handed the Indians.
The team's propensity to turn a series around after poor starts must give fans cause for optimism and hope that in this series too, India will do well. For the team themselves, doing well will be much more critical after having fallen behind in the series. England want to grab the top spot from India, while India will want to show the world that they are ranked Number One for a reason.
Indian punctuality has been well documented and made fun of, chiefly for being non-existent, but do the Indians' troubles of turning up on time extend to the cricket field as well? And no, we're not talking of Sourav Ganguly keeping Steve Waugh waiting for the toss here! India have struggled to make a positive start in most Test series, especially recent ones. It matters little whether it's home or away, whether they are favourites or underdogs, whether the full strength team plays or not. True, they have had winning starts too, but it has always been through a comeback during the later part of the Test. The Indians have always had to contend with a major collapse or a poor bowling performance before they pulled up their socks.
The last time India made a good opening was more than two years ago: against New Zealand in March 2009, ironically away from home. India has never had a promising start to a series since they were ranked the No. 1 Test team in December 2009. On the other hand, they have also never lost a series since they reached the pinnacle.
Here is the list of first Tests India have played since March 2009:
First Test vs New Zealand, 18 March 2009: Result - India won by 10 wickets
This was the last time India started a Test series with a thorough performance. India bowled out New Zealand twice for 279 - while scoring a mammoth 520 either side of those totals thanks to a superb 160 by Tendulkar. Harbhajan Singh too was in the kind of form that he would kill to have right now, picking up 6 wickets to help India chase down a paltry 39 runs to seal a superb start.
Series Result: India won 1-0
First Test vs Sri Lanka, 16 Nov 2009: Result - Match drawn
Having amassed over 400 runs in the first innings, the Indians were made to sweat it out when the Sri Lankans dug deep and put on 760 runs when it was their turn to bat. It was left to Gautham Gambhir and Sachin Tendulkar to defy the Lankans in the second innings with hard fought hundreds as India salvaged a draw.
Series Result: India won the series 1-0.
First Test vs Bangladesh, 17 Jan 2010: Result - India won by 113 runs
Prior to the series, Virender Sehwag had infamously said that the Bangladesh attack wasn't good enough to skittle the Indians out cheaply. After being sent into bat, India were bowled out for 243 thanks to some spirited bowling by Shahadat Hossain and Shakib al Hasan. Some good work by the Indian bowlers and a gritty performance with the bat in the second essay saw India escape some scathing criticism as they managed to win by 113 runs.
Series Result: India won the series 2-0
First Test vs South Africa, 6 Feb 2010: Result - India lost by by an innings and 6 runs
India's first series against a top nation after they were ranked No. 1 started in disastrous fashion as South Africa, with the help of a fiery Dale Steyn and the star batting duo of Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis, consigned them to an embarrassing innings loss. India's only positive sign was the batting form of Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag - who notched up tons.
Series Result: Series drawn 1-1
First Test vs Sri Lanka, 18 July 2010: Result - India lost by 10 wickets
One of the many series involving the subcontinent countries saw India start off again on a losing note. In reply to Sri Lanka's mammoth 520, India were bowled out for just 276 and asked to follow on. In a much more spirited second innings reply, India managed to get a lead of 94. However, that was never going to be enough and Sri Lanka won by 10 wickets. And, of course, Muttiah Muralitharan became the first person to reach 800 Test wickets in India's second innings.
Series Result: Series drawn 1-1
First Test vs Australia, 1 Oct 2010: Result - India won by 1 wicket
Chasing 216 to win and take an unassailable lead against the former champions, India were staring down the barrel at 124/8 with 92 runs still to get. VVS Laxman and Ishant Sharma then forged a superb stand to defy the Australians and take India to a famous win.
Series Result: India won 2-0
First Test vs New Zealand, 4 Nov 2010: Result - Match Drawn
With a score of close to 500 in the first innings, there was nothing to suggest that India would just about scrape through in this Test. But Chris Martin had other ideas - his stunning burst left India in dire straits at 15/5 in the second innings. It was left to VVS Laxman and Harbhajan Singh (who got to his first 100 in the process) to help India just about draw the Test.
Series result: India won 1-0
First Test vs South Africa, 16 Dec 2010: Result - India lost by an innings and 25 runs
MS Dhoni's men were blown away by Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel in the first innings as India were skittled out for 136. A double hundred by Jacques Kallis and tons from Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers gave South Africa a commanding 484 run lead and despite a fighting 100 by Sachin Tendulkar in the 2nd innings, India fell way short.
Series result: Drawn 1-1
First Test vs West Indies, June 20, 2011: Result - India won by 63 runs
Having elected to bat first, India were in complete disarray losing six wickets with just 85 runs on the board. It was left to Harbhajan Singh and Suresh Raina to forge a defiant partnership of 146 runs to give the Indian team a chance to win.
Series result: India won 1-0.
Even though India won only the first Test in their previous series against West Indies, they had been far more dominant in the next two Tests and only rain prevented wins in them as well. The first Test blues held true for the current England tour also, but given that India have a long history of starting badly and then bouncing back, the England team will have to be wary in spite of the drubbing they have handed the Indians.
The team's propensity to turn a series around after poor starts must give fans cause for optimism and hope that in this series too, India will do well. For the team themselves, doing well will be much more critical after having fallen behind in the series. England want to grab the top spot from India, while India will want to show the world that they are ranked Number One for a reason.
© Cricbuzz
