The Indians are here and the summer is ‘hotting’ up, well that may be a slight exaggeration but you get the idea. Today saw the start of the 2000th test at Lords within which the ‘Little Master’, Tendulkar, is trying to achieve his 100th hundred, at a ground where he has never even scored 50. So the pressure is on and it is England’s job to try and prevent this… but the pressure is not just on for the Indians. Oh no. For England if they can win by a margin of 2 tests then they will be propelled, not literally, to the number one spot in the test rankings. Can they beat such a formidable side though? Yes I think is the answer – Sehwag is currently out until the 3rd test, Kahn has suffered a hamstring injury earlier today, plus just look at the calibre of our team! Okay when not in form they can suffer badly, but when at their best they are the BEST… the top 6 in the batting line up are prolific run-scorers, whereas the bowlers are continuous wicket-takers especially in the current favourable conditions.
After today’s, dare I say it, rain-affected day I would call it mediocre. Cook and Strauss were out early which left Trott and K.P at the crease. Trott once again obtained a half century whilst Pietersen is looking somewhat settled at the crease. We also learnt that in the ‘battle’ for the final place, Broad took victory ahead of Bresnan… let’s hope for some wickets because I have missed his form – and I’m telling ‘it’ now it better be returning, sharpish! Anyway I am anticipating our bowling innings, hopefully Jimmy’s reverse swing, Tremlett’s bounce, Broad’s pace and Swann’s spin – yeah I know it sounds a little odd doesn’t it? – will be the key factors into dismantling this prized batting attack. Onwards and upwards is what I say… cannot wait until the 3rd test at Edgbaston where hopefully we will have already seen at least one thrilling win!
In County news there has been a 4-day tour match for Leicestershire against Sri Lanka A, and believe me there has been a LOT of action already; namely captain James Taylor’s 168*standing in for injured Hoggard. In an innings of 341 all out it turned out to be a scintillating innings, and Taylor is a very promising talent passing 1,000 first-class runs for the 3rd consecutive season. As Sri Lanka A took to the crease today it was pure class from the onset at 1-2 with Nathan Buck taking the first wicket… they ended up all put for a mere 176 with 4 wickets in total for White, I know! Leicestershire have been improving masses this season, and personally I think it is great that such improvements are being made… it could possibly be due to all the young home-grown talent. Maybe some silverware will help boost the team even further, fingers crossed!
Also on the County circuit this week in Somerset’s LVCC game against Durham, Trescothick was back to his best with a fantastic score of 163, with now 1,373 first-class runs under his belt. Other notable performances were that of Kyle Hogg for Lancashire versus Yorkshire, Hogg took the first five wickets of the innings, leaving Yorkshire on 45-8! But what was to come next was definitely unexpected, Pyrah and Sidebottom put on 154 in 30 overs, with Pyrah smashing 117 from just 126 balls… a truly spectacular day! For the Bears fans also there was something to be happy about. With the help of Ambrose and Woakes hitting scores of 73 and 74 respectively, Warwickshire were helped to a first innings score of 521 with a great century from Keith Barker to stand the Bears in good stead. Sussex ended the day on 103-3. Gloucestershire are also in the driving seat against Kent mainly due to the wonderful 192* from Chris Taylor, there is some great players around at the moment. For the remaining county news check out the ECB’s website of which the link is provded for on the blog site. So all in all a superb day for a bit of cricket – well for the teams with the advantage obviously.
Anyway that’s it for today… happy reading!
Photo Credit: Gareth Copley/Getty Images
Caught At Slip 