| | What a riveting test match!!
The 1st Test between India and England ended in a draw, which was probably a just results for the efforts put forth by both teams. The standout moment of the test being that 5 over spell by Hoggard on D3 which ensured that India were always going to be behind the 8 ball.
Now moving onto T2 in Mohali. This venue should offer the English their best possibility of a result on paper. The track is known to help good accurate quicks and hence one should see another keen contest.
The following are the key aspects which both teams need be concerned with:
1. India & England - How will they take 20 wickets?
India may have been able to take 20 wickets had they not produced a shambolic D4 fielding effort coupled with some of the more egregious umpiring moments of the game.
England never looked like taking a wicket till India decided to have a dash late in D5. For all of Monty's economy ... the fact still remains that he took all of 3 wickets in the match, how long before one of Sehwag, Yuvraj, Dhoni or Pathan give him a good shellacking. A better paced track at Mohali may give them that opportunity.
2. Pace of Batting - India was particularly faulty in this regard ... both of their innings barely ever threatened the 3 rpo mark. This is fine initially or when the bowling is posing a major threat. However, the unwillingness or inability to take more singles will pose a major hurdle to getting results.
3. Wicketkeeping - England has conveniently ignored criticizing Jones for a shamblic display behind the stumps. He missed two critical chances; one off Kumble on D3-- a game changing miss IMO, the other a tougher chance off of Dravid which could have given England a much better sniff.
4. Spinner's incisiveness - India is struggling in the spin department. Although both Kumble and Bhajji have kept the run rate under clamps they have struggled to garner any wickets. This is both a reflection of ordinary form and a better prepared english batting unit. India must decide whether the more obvious turn of Chawla is worth a punt in the next match.
5. Quickies workload - The Engish quicks bowled a lot of overs in this test match and this was despite the Indians rarely ever threatening to take the game away from them. Can the continue this workload especially given the propensity to break down?
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| | Posted 3/6/2006 12:04 PM - 5 Views - 0 eProps - 0 comments
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