England in India - Discussion thread!

[Batman]

England is in and after the ODIs [which promise to be boring and long drawn] the 2 test 'series' will begin.

India now has a solid combination in place for tests and the whole team has come together and played very tough cricket to beat Aus 2-0. They are on top of their game and in sync with the conditions and the team spirit part as well. At the onset if pitches aren't featherbeds for England logically India should be winning 2-0. At least at home so far, Dhoni has been impressive as captain and he has a winning team with all resources needed. And yet India has always been on top of their games against Aus in past and crap against half strength England sides at home in the past both in 2002 and 2005.

The pace bolwing and spinners and WK slots are doing well. India has a settled opening pair and Vijay can be tried at no. 3 in a home series in a series of less pressure after this. Laxman can do it too. Dravid if retained can play at no. 5 or 6 now that Ganguly's place is open. But India's real achilles heel is still te middle order. Ganguly is gone and Dravid is on his way out soon. That's 2 main middle order slots worth 17,500 international test runs that is our weakness and if England can see off our openers cheaply, where they can exploit us best.

Interesting series awaits us as any side that gets 1-0 can decide the result as they have the option of playing negatively for a draw and I expect England to play the choking game like their last 2 tours here.....If they surprise us like they did last time at Mumbai over here first up, they could really take the shine off a good season we had against Aus.

[Merlin]

Let's just say 'quiet optimism' as far as the Test's are concerned.

The quicks appear to be hitting their straps, Monty has to come good sooner (or later)
but if not, then there's always Patel to grind things out (and he bats a bit) ...
Batting is our relative weakness right now ... though with Dinga, Ace and Freddie gathering runs (albeit against a Bombay 3rd XI in a meaningless 50 over thrash) .. Strauss, Cook and Colly really have to be on song to give the batting some impetus.

It ain't gonna be a walkover as with India against the Aussies ... England tend to play swing (Sharma/Khan) better than most ... but Bhajji will pose problems. Not too concerned about young Mishra .. one of the England bats will surely be given the nod to have a go at him.
Glad Jumbo isn't around though ....

[The One]

england is probably a weaker team than australia, but they also have a better chance thanks to the short series. india has to guard against becoming complacent at any point in the series. one bad session and they could either lose or draw the series

i think it will be an interesting two tests. if india wins both tosses i cant see anything other than an india series win, but england should be competitive and india will probably not be as keyed up as in this series

[Batman]

Hmmmmm. I think India has now jumped at no. 2 spot in ICC test rankings. Is it?

[The One]

yes. it keeps on switching though. no clear-cut number 2 yet

[Merlin]

england is probably a weaker team than australia, but they also have a better chance thanks to the short series. india has to guard against becoming complacent at any point in the series. one bad session and they could either lose or draw the series

i think it will be an interesting two tests. if india wins both tosses i cant see anything other than an india series win, but england should be competitive and india will probably not be as keyed up as in this series

I'll make sure and remind you of that when you have your arse handed to you on a plate!

Beating an ill equipped and disjointed Australian team who clearly lack leadership and team spirit right now isn't exactly the cue
for trumpet blowing when facing an entirely different opposition from which India will face 3 decent quicks who can swing it,
and a half decent spinner playing in a team who appear to be united under a decent skipper.

Not much I warrant, but worth a modicum of respect.

FFS and you can stop making with the excuses already .... "india will probably not be as keyed up as in this series" ....

[spangler]

It is hard to motivate a side when playing a non Top 4 team...


I'm not going to put any smiley faces.

[Merlin]

Except if that particular "un-motivated" side are complacent enough to get beaten.
Of course, if that is accomplished, then listen out for the unending list of excuses!

[Chivalry Augustus]

Let's just say 'quiet optimism' as far as the Test's are concerned.

The quicks appear to be hitting their straps, Monty has to come good sooner (or later)
but if not, then there's always Patel to grind things out (and he bats a bit) ...

Patel won't be playing though. And he bats a lot more than a bit - find another guy with a first-class average of 48 or more in the team, and unsurprisingly you're looking at only one man.

[Merlin]

My point earlier in another thread ....
If Monty isn't cutting the mustard then by all means, get Patel into the team.

[The One]

FFS and you can stop making with the excuses already .... "india will probably not be as keyed up as in this series" ....

thats just a fact, hardly an excuse. i doubt england treat a series against australia as the same as one against nz or sl

'on paper' india should win the series, england has not beaten us in a series in 12 years. but like i said its a short series and the top 5-6 teams can all beat the other if someone has an off day

[Naeem]

I reckon India would be on course for another 2-0 drubbing.

[Merlin]

But to say that India wouldn't be keyed up is demeaning your own squad.
I'd doubt if Dhoni would want to ease off the pedal now that he's got momentum going ...
nor, I suspect, would the entire Indian team!

I'm no history expert and therefore discount the 12 year factor.
This is a young England team who seem to have regenerated since the Vawn era ... but sure, it's early days yet.
Short series or not, I reckon India will be given more than a good scrap than what the Aussies offered.

[philcric]

1-0 to India is my prediction.

[philcric]

But to say that India wouldn't be keyed up is demeaning your own squad.
I'd doubt if Dhoni would want to ease off the pedal now that he's got momentum going ...
nor, I suspect, would the entire Indian team!

Seconded.