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	AIS System Lead Offer 2011 All eyes will be on Virender Sehwag as the Indian cricket team look to get their act together in their two-day match against Northants beginning Friday. India have plenty of issues to address as they prepare to salvage pride and their world No.1 ranking in the remaining two Tests after getting a drubbing in the first two. The third Test begins Aug 10 at Edgbaston.

Pace spearhead Zaheer Khan and Sehwag’s opening partner Gautam Gambhir will also test themselves after being sidelined for the second Test at Trent Bridge with injuries.Zaheer strained his hamstring in the first innings of the Lord’s Test and since then the left-armer has been warming the bench. Gambhir bruised his elbow after being hit by Jonathan Trott.

Sehwag missed the series against West Indies and the first two Tests against England because of a shoulder surgery. With Indian batting barely being able to stand up against the English attack, Sehwag is looked upon as a rescuer. It will be tough for the charismatic opener though to find his feet against the moving ball. The two-day match will be his best chance to get some vital match practice before the third Test.

Sehwag has been a game changer for India and the team needs a touch of inspiration that can lift its morale. The Delhi dasher has done that numerous time in the past as he is known to take the fight to the opposition.

He has scored his Test runs at a quicker pace than anyone else. Of his 22 Test centuries, 14 have been scores of more than 150. When India beat England in Chennai in 2008, chasing a remarkable 387 to win on a turning pitch, it was Sehwag who stunned the visitors on the fourth evening, racing to a 68-ball 83.

Sehwag was not selected for India’s tour here in 2007 and in 2002 he scored a century at Trent Bridge, but still averaged just less than 40 in the four Tests.

Overall, in the three formats in 39 matches against England he has made just two hundreds.

Northampton captain Andrew Hall said they will not make it easy for the visitors.

“We’ve got a strong (bowling) line-up that can really keep them down and get wickets,” Hall told BBC Radio.

“It’s going to be good to get in there, work them over and get some wickets — to put guys under pressure. We don’t want them to have it all their way.”

STUART BROAD lives so near Trent Bridge the floodlights can light up his home – and yesterday he needed all his local knowledge to be England’s shining knight.

Under attack from the Indian swing bowlers, Broad stood firm to defend England’s castle and with the help of Graeme Swann, gave his team a platform to launch their own assault today.

If the England management had any sense, they would ask Broad to go out for the toss, open the batting, the bowling, stand at slip and cook the team’s evening meal because he simply cannot put a foot wrong at the moment.

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Without his swashbuckling 64 to spearhead the team’s rearguard action, England would never have come close to their eventual 221 all out that gives them a sniff of something more.

In a matter of six days, Broad has gone from being a byword for sporting frustration to the man for all occasions and yesterday it was his batting that made all the difference to an England team blown away inside a session.

Although how he failed to take a wicket during his spell of seven overs that cost just five runs and beat the bat more times than Ozzy Osbourne is a mystery.

Read more: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/cricket/2011/07/30/stuart-broad-keeps-england-in-swing-of-things-115875-23306943/#ixzz1ThyypwyT
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England’s bowlers gave Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman a testing 15-over examination of ticker and technique before the day ended, but rest assured their second module begins this morning and won’t be any easier.

A deficit of 197 remains after guiding India to 24-1 by the close, but with Jimmy Anderson claiming the wicket of Abhinav Mukund first ball and Tim Bresnan finding his range, this Test match is finely poised.

Fresh from his Lord’s heroics with bat and ball, Broad was already feeling good about life, but a return to his Nottingham home turf gave him an extra spring in his step and that confidence oozed out of him with every one of the nine strokes that sent the ball to the ropes.

It was counterattacking cricket at its very best, rescuing his side from tea-time despair to put them firmly back in the game by the time he holed out to deep mid-wicket.

And with fellow Notts star Swann adding 28 runs of his own in a partnership full of fits and giggles as well as flicks and swishes, the crowd enjoyed a locally sourced mid-pitch treat.

The only downside to their fun for the ninth wicket was the painful blow Swann took on his left hand in getting out caught at third slip to one that flew up at him from a length.

The England off-spinner was given the all-clear after having a precautionary X-ray to make sure no extra damage was done, but there was no need for a scan to tell the Indians how much pain their 73-run partnership had inflicted.

It had all been so different before the break when India’s disciplined bowling and catching had reduced England from 69-2 at lunch to 124-8 at tea with no-one threatening to take the attack to them.

Whether it was Andrew Strauss, who eked out 32, Kevin Pietersen, who battled to 29, or Ian Bell, who fought his way to 31, before all being caught from outside edges, no-one had found life ­comfortable.

It was a bowler’s day, for sure, but the worst thing England could have done was to fold without landing even a punch of their own and that is what Broad and Swann finally managed to do.

A brace of boundaries apiece into the leg side got them up and running and it completely threw the Indian bowlers.

For half an hour they lost their immaculate length and were rattled into bowling short and feeding the duo’s cuts and pulls rather than stick to a formula that had ripped apart England’s top order.

Without their two have-a-go heroes, England’s first innings would have sunk without a trace.

But instead Broad and Swann turned the tide and reminded India it will take more than a fancy session to shake them off.

Initially, England’s batsmen were reined in by a lost toss, a probing line and length from the Indian seamers and a lack of chutzpah against the moving ball.

Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott were both back in the hutch for single-figure scores, but Strauss and Pietersen battled hard to still be there at lunch.

Losing six wickets for 55 runs from that point on gave the initiative firmly to the Indians before Broad and Swann snatched it back – the question now is whether or not they can do the same with the ball.

A few years ago, when they were all still playing Tests, I was asked this question while doing commentary: “Crofty, if you had to choose between Brian Lara, Steve Waugh or Sachin Tendulkar, to bat to save your life, which one would you go for?” What a very difficult question that is! You know how Trinbagonians like to say; “Yuh askin’ answers or whuh?” But, this is not Jeopardy!

My reply to that question was not even in the given choices. As brilliant as those three have been, only Sachin is still playing. I would not nominate either to bat for my life, even as enjoyable as it might be. I could not select any of them, not if Rahul Sharad Dravid might also be available. Michael Jackson’s 5th studio contribution, tuxedo, afro, sharp white socks and all, was mega 1979 hit album—Off The Wall In cricket, if my back was against one, I would want to be protected by its namesake —The Wall. Look, Stephen Rodger Waugh was as ruthless, intense and stubborn as they come. I have witnessed that first hand. You cannot make 10,927 runs, 168 Tests, average 51.06, then suggest that is some fluke. No way! While covering the series in Jamaica, 1995; Steve was not yet captain and with West Indies straining desperately, like an aging fighter, to keep hold of its Test championship, barely hanging in, I witnessed Steve Waugh in his utter pomp, 200 no, at Sabina Park, to grind that championship back to Australia.
Like India vs England now, Test No 2 being played at Trent Bridge, rated No 1 vs No 2, West Indies vs Australia, back in 1995, was for it all too. Whichever team had won then would be World Champions!
Australia had already won Test No 1 of that series, in Bridgetown, by 10 wickets, while Test No 2, at the venerable Antigua Recreation Ground, was a good, even draw. West Indies won Test No 3, Queens Park Oval, with Courtney Walsh, Curtly Ambrose, Kenny and Winston Benjamin getting all 20 Australian wickets, Ambrose getting nine and Walsh six in the game. Sabina Park was to be the full decider.

Present West Indian selector Courtney Brown, as wicket-keeper, on Test debut, dropped Steve, on 42, described as ‘the simplest catch he would ever drop.” He never looked back. Mark Waugh made 126, Steve a magnificent, career-best 200 no Shane Warne and Paul Reiffel, four wickets each, cleaned up!
West Indies lost the game, by an innings, series, 2-1, and world championship, all in one dreadful moment. I remember seeing grown, very senior, veteran members even, of the West Indies, cry long, open tears. It was if they had known that the baton had been dropped, for longer than 15 years now! If Steve Waugh was tough, Brian Charles Lara’s statistics, and style, were quite different. Brian was there to lose in 1995 to Australia too, but his 375, gaining that batting record from Sir Gary Sobers, vs England, 1994; or 400 no, also vs England, 2004; also at ARG, are still stand-out beacons for batsmen anywhere.
Lara’s statistics are to be seriously marveled at too: 131 Tests, 11953 runs, average 52.88, truly amazing! Already suggested, Lara’s 153 no, in 311-9, to beat Australia in 1999, his very best innings ever. His best series, though, by far, for pistols-drawn and deep-in-the-trenches batsmanship, had to be Sri Lanka, 2001. I say again, if you ever get a chance to see that series on DVD’s, just buy them. It is incredible!

Lara made 688 runs in 3 Tests, 178 and 40 (1st), 74 and 45 (2nd) and 221 and 130. West Indies still lost every game, badly, by 10 wickets, 131 runs and 10 wickets. It was not even that close! That series confirmed that BCL was a full batting genius, despite Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah Muralitharan! What can one say about Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar that has not yet been said overall? His is another story altogether. According to ‘Cric-info’; SRT is “perhaps the most complete batsman and most worshiped cricketer in the world.” This guy has more batting records than some people had lunches! After Lords last weekend, he had played 178 Tests, 14738 runs, average 56.68. Just for dessert, he also has 18111 runs from 453 ODI’s, average 45.16. This is about his Tests and real class! What a player! Whoa! The first time I saw him bat in person, Sachin was actually captain, QPO, 1997. He made 88 and was run out. I would never forget the crowd’s reaction when he made his first stroke, a caress that exploded, for four, through extra cover. Everyone stood and applauded. Some shed tears when he was dismissed! One of the numbers that gave me a great laugh, on reviewing Sachin’s batting resume, was that ‘only’ 63,097 facebook people “liked it.” This guy already has 99 centuries, and would probably add that so far elusive century of centuries in this present series, and that is all the following he has? Nah man!

Yet, with such excellence from those, I would still go for the security of The Wall to look after my back! Rahul Dravid is nothing about flash. He plays his cricket to be as efficient, effective and productive as he can be. While the world has ushered many praises at Sachin, Rahul has, under the radar, managed to upstage him, in a sense. He is always there, takes whatever comes, and fights to the end! Always! He is described by C-I as “probably the last classical Test match batsman, that most pragmatic and grounded of men, a colossus of a cricketer in his own right. Even with his pedigree, he has never fussed about conducting his own cricket under the great shadow of Sachin Tendulkar!” Absolutely! Built in the mould of England’s Geoff Boycott, Australia’s Greg Chappell or Pakistan’s Majid Khan, Dravid has always put a great premium on his wicket. Almost always, they never gave bowlers any chances! Dravid made his 33rd Test century last week, 103 no, at Lords, when India were in deep trouble, eventually in a losing cause. He always bats well when his team needs it most. His trademark first Test of the series century, at Sabina Park, last month, against West Indies, won India that series too!

Rahul is the most reliable batsman India had had since Dulip Sardesai or Sunil Gavaskar. His hundred at Lords last week also culminated, and probably appeased, a hunger for one at that great ground. When he made his debut there, in 1996, he made 95, while the other debutant, Saurav Ganguly, made 131! Like Shiv Chanderpaul, who has done similarly for West Indies, The Wall has stopped the world’s bowlers by batting at any number in the line-up. He batted at No 7 on debut, and now, in this 2nd Test against England at Trent Bridge, he is opening. No other batsman in recent memory, for any team, with perhaps the exception of England’s coach, Andy Flower, has been as utility a batsman as Rahul Dravid!
For real batting security, I always would jump on The Wall, Rahul Dravid!

Nottingham, July 31 (IANS) England took control of the second cricket Test against India, reaching 441/6 in their second innings at stumps on the third day at Trent Bridge here Sunday.

England now lead by a huge 374 runs with four wickets remaining.

Ian Bell struck a well-paced 159 while Kevin Pietersen (63), Eoin Morgan (70), Matt Prior (64 not out) and Tim Bresnan (47) all contributed.

For India, Praveen Kumar and S.Sreesanth took two wickets each.

Ian Bell scored an immaculate if controversial 159 that helped put England in command against India at the close of the third day of the second test at Trent Bridge on Sunday.

England, who were 24 for one overnight, closed on 441 for six in their second innings, an overall lead of 374. India already need to complete the highest run chase to win a Nottingham test, England’s 284 for six against New Zealand in 2004.

The day featured a dramatic U-turn after England trailed India’s first innings by 43 runs at the start of the day, when Bell was on nine. Eoin Morgan chipped in with 70, Kevin Pietersen made 63, while Matt Prior was 64 not out with Tim Bresnan on 47 at the close.

Bell was at his stylish best in registering his 15th test hundred, as he guided England from adversity into a position of strength. But a freak run out the stroke of tea dominated was the day’s talking point.

Morgan clipped Ishant Sharma to square leg and the batsmen completed three runs and then asumed the ball had crossed the boundary as fielder Praveen Kumar gave the impression it was in fact four runs, although he never signalled.

As umpire Asad Rauf waited for confirmation whether it was a four or a three, Kumar casually returned the ball and Abhinav Mukund eventually took off the bails while Bell was out of his crease, walking back to the pavilion for tea.

After some discussion, while the batsmen by now standing on the edge of the field, Bell was given out to widespread disapproval of the crowd and the England team, who are 1-0 up in the four-match series.

When the umpires and the Indians returned after tea to a chorus of boos from the 15,000 crowd, Bell then appeared to the everyone’s surprise.

It later transpired that during the tea interval the England captain Andrew Strauss and coach Andy Flower approached their Indian counterparts and asked if they wished to reverse their appeal against Bell.

India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni told Strauss he would consult his team before returning with an agreement to allow Bell to return.

SPORTING GESTURE

Technically Law 27.8 states that such a decision has to involve the umpires and must happen on the field of play. The fact it was on the last ball before tea may have meant there was room for some discretion.

When the news was announced to spectators during a drinks break of the evening session, the India team received a standing ovation from the appreciative Nottingham crowd.

It was a sporting gesture though may not go down well with every Indian as Bell and Morgan went on to add a further 69 runs, of which Bell’s share was 22.

That incident will be remembered as one of the more bizarre moments in test history but for the present, it could have a serious bearing on the result of the match as England led by just 187 runs at the time of Bell’s incident.

The controversy should not overshadow the quality of Bell’s 206-ball innings which included 24 boundaries.

India struggled to contain his array of elegant and perfectly timed strokes to anything that was slightly off-line, especially several delicate late cuts through a vacant gully region. He has now struck four centuries in his last nine test innings.

The runs after Bell’s innings ended were painful ones for India. Morgan faced just 88 balls for his 70, bringing his 50 up with a six, while Prior also accelerated mercilessly, managing his runs from 55 deliveries. Prior has added 102 with Bresnan so far.

Earlier, Strauss’s poor run of form continued as he was caught behind for 16 and has now failed to score more than 32 in his last eight innings.