India and England renewed Test rivalry by a lifeless pitch at Trent Bridge that ensured the first Test was a dull draw, despite some remarkable individual performances.
India and England renewed Test rivalry by a lifeless pitch at Trent Bridge that ensured the first Test was a dull draw, despite some remarkable individual performances.
However, England has asked the Lord’s curators to prepare a ‘green track’ which could benefit the seamers. Thus, India have a task on their hands when they face England at Lord’s and if the statistics are to go by the former have won only once there [1986] in 16 Tests. Can MS Dhoni’s side bring a change in their fortunes in the Lord’s test? Will Alastair Cook and his merry men be able to end their dismal run of record at the ‘Mecca of Cricket’? Here are 5 things to know before the BIG TEST:
No placid pitch –
The Trent Bridge pitch was so flat that it was being compared to the ones in India. But here’s a twist in the tale as Lord’s are expecting a lively track. Yes, a pitch that could give us a result for 5 days. England seamers James Anderson and Stuart Broad bowled 113 overs at Trent Bridge, and won’t be excited if Lord’s is also placid. Moreover, even the Indian pacers could lick their lips on the sight of the green top at the Lord’s ground. Ishant Sharma was the pick of the bowlers at Trent Bridge and could revive his fortunes here as well.
Cook’s bad form –
One thing that could keep the Indians interested is English skipper Alastair Cook’s batting performances. His dismal run of form with the bat saw get out for 5 in the first Test, and spared from batting again by India batting out the fifth day to confirm a draw. That pressure has not decreased, as his average this year has dropped to less than 14, with a top score of 28. If Cook’s poor form continues, expect a barrage of attacks from the press and critics alike.
Pressure still on Dhoni –
India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni did not have the best of Tests as India captain at Trent Bridge. He ran himself out on 82 in the first innings and ran out of ideas during Joe Root’s and Anderson’s record 10th-wicket partnership of 198. His bowlers continually bowled short to Anderson, despite the pitch keeping the ball low. His fielding setup often allowed Root a single to retain the strike. Both of those errors allowed England back into the game and took the impetus away from India, a mistake he should not repeat at Lord’s.
Broad and Anderson key –
England’s strike bowlers – Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson bowled almost 60 overs each at Trent Bridge. Their importance to Cook and England cannot be understated, and the state of the pitch will determine how badly the England captain needs to use them. Also spicing things up will be the Ravindra Jadeja controversy which saw Jimmy Anderson being charged by the ICC for abusing and pushing the Indian spinner. In further retaliation, England has slapped a notice of Offence 2 on Jadeja. Things are getting sourly before even a ball has being bowled.
Kohli off form –
Indian vice-captain Virat Kohli was identified as India’s dangerman ahead of the first Test but the 25-year old could manage only nine runs from two innings on a surface made for batting at Trent Bridge. Broad dismissed him both times, and Kohli will be wary of that developing into a trend. With tougher conditions waiting in the line, the Delhi batsman would want to spend more time on the pitch rather than the dressing room.
With India and England set to battle it out in the 2nd Test at Lord’s Cricket Ground, the toss would play a key role in deciding the team’s destiny in the days ahead.
