No matter what one thinks, this promises to be one heck of a tour. The time of year should definitely suit the Indians as spin will play an important part for both sides. IMO, with imminent cloud cover, the mornings will bring out the best in the pacers. There will be swing through the air, maybe not as much as during the WI series, but definitely enough to keep batsmen on both sides guessing.
The teams, provided they play to potential, are well matched with England having an edge in the pace department and India in the spin. The batting seems balanced and it is therefore the fielding that gives England that slight advantage. Whereas Harmison brings extra pace, (if he doesn’t spray it around) Flintoff might miss the whole tour (according to last reports). Kumble, Harbhajan, Powar and maybe Chawla give India the edge in spin. But it isn’t as though England’s cupboard is bare in the spin department or that India has nothing to offer in pace. Monty Panesar, meanwhile, has made himself quite a name. India hasn’t got the express pace of Harmison, but they do have quality exponents of swing.
Personally, there’s little to choose from. Whereas England might have the edge in tests, I think India may prevail in the ODI’s.
My guess is both the Test and ODI squads will be selected from this core:
England Michael Vaughan (Captain), Andrew Strauss (Vice-captain), Alastair Cook, Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood, Kevin Pietersen, Marcus Trescothik, Ed Joyce, Matt Prior, Owais Shah, Matthew Hoggard, Liam Plunkett, James Anderson, Steve Harmison, Monty Panesar, Alex Loudon, Sajid Mahmood, Jamie Dalrymple
You've not chosen Sehwag at all? Jaffer will be a big failure in tests IMO. Overall, I'm not very optimistic. Earlier I used to think that Pathan needs to play in the English tour but the lad faded out before getting a chance.
You would think that with India's spin options, England will be looking to prepare strips that barely turn at all, but seam nicely.
Given recent history, when they gave both Shane Warne and Murali an absolute party when they came here, I'm not optimistic that they won't be that stupid.
Looking forward to it though. England v India is ALWAYS a fantastic series to watch.
Sehwag will be a bunny for both Liam Plunkett and Steve Harmison. He's prone to the inswing and more often than not leaves space between bat and pad which could accomodate India Gate. With the ball swinging prodigiously (both regular and reverse) in England, Sehwag hasn't got the footwork and IMO will harm his own career more by being there.
Although Pathan has lost his form for now, that does not mean he won't find it in time for the tour. If he does, he could be a great success. I'm sure the selectors realise this.
I don't think the speed matters much. It's more the bounce that might be India's undoing. England definitely will get more from the wicket considering the height of the bowlers it has. Harmison is a giant in Indian eyes.
Originally posted by mirchy: I don't think the speed matters much. It's more the bounce that might be India's undoing. England definitely will get more from the wicket considering the height of the bowlers it has. Harmison is a giant in Indian eyes.
But that pace and bounce is all over the place at the moment!
You are right though, the best wickets to face India on would be bouncy tracks.
It'll be similar to 2002 though, decent tracks full of runs. And it could be down to the same thing as 2002 - who gets to bat first, rack up a big score and put the other team under pressure!
Hoggard - Definite Choice Flintoff - Depends on Ankle Recovery Harmison - Depends on Accuracy and Further CC action Panesar - Definite Choice Plunkett - See Harmison Sidebottom - Depends on the rest of the WI series Broad - Massively Doubtful Anderson - No. Mahmood - See Harmison Rashid - Too Young Simon Jones - Highly Unlikely Kabir Ali - See Anderson Onions - Hopefully, Depends on CC Action Giles - See S Jones
A Little Hard Work never killed anyone....but why take the chance?
Well, at least that'll ensure 5-day tests (I think). Pity really that Boards are willing to sacrifice home advantage for $$$. I'm really looking forward to this tour.
Originally posted by JKLever: Aye, if it comes to a spin-off then there's only going to be one winner.
Kumble is pants in England. He will be no threat.
Bhaji might do a bit. I don't know much about the other Indian spinners.
India may wanna give Chawla a go, he took a single Wicket (Flintoff) when England toured there last year, maybe Chawla and Kumble spinning it in Tandem?
A Little Hard Work never killed anyone....but why take the chance?
I have my reservations about Sidebottom being as successful against the Indians as he is against the Windies. Very little to judge him by with both Sarwan and Chanderpaul missing in the last test.
Originally posted by mirchy: Well, at least that'll ensure 5-day tests (I think). Pity really that Boards are willing to sacrifice home advantage for $$$. I'm really looking forward to this tour.
It's a pity that politics mean this is only a 3 test tour really.
Originally posted by JKLever: Aye, if it comes to a spin-off then there's only going to be one winner.
Kumble is pants in England. He will be no threat.
Bhaji might do a bit. I don't know much about the other Indian spinners.
Kumble in 2007 is way way way different from Kumble in 2002. So expect some success for him, especially if the batsmen succeed in putting up a big total!
Originally posted by Mister Robby: I don't know much about the other Indian spinners
Kumble - Googly, top spin. You're right, he may not be that successful Harbhajan - finger off spin, doosra, flight in tests, flat in ODI's Powar - finger off spin, variations only in flight (good though) spins the ball prodigiously, even more than Harbhajan Piyush Chawla - wrist leg spin, googly (overdoes it sometimes), 18 years but extreme talent and IMO the future for India.
