England V India Clash of the Heavyweights Test, T20 and ODI Series

TheCenturion · 10 Jul 2011 at 23:04

Right, this series was a huge anti climax, so this thread is being retained for the series in India.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/england-v-india-2011/content/current/series/474450.html

Now that the India v West Indies series has concluded, it's time to start counting down to the biggest event this summer

This series is being hailed as bigger than the 2005 Ashes!

V

Squads:

England

India

First Test: Lords 22nd July - 25th July

Second Test: Trent Bridge 29th July - 2nd Augst

Third Test: Edgbaston 10th August - 14th August

Fourth Test: Oval 18th August - 22nd August

Anyone got tickets? I've got Day 4 at Lord's, Day 1 at Oval, and hopefully a mate has a spare for me to see day 3 at Lord's and the ODI at Lords too

Really can't wait for this test series

TheCenturion · 11 Jul 2011 at 10:11

Oh yes, I'm playing this song every single day in the buildup to the tour:

Alpherah · 11 Jul 2011 at 12:26

Day 1,3,5 at Edgbaston here

gonna be a cracker!

TheCenturion · 11 Jul 2011 at 12:32

Alpherah said:
Day 1,3,5 at Edgbaston here gonna be a cracker!

Just noticed that there's day 4 and day 5 tickets still available for Oval! Might have to get some more!

shadow_boxer · 11 Jul 2011 at 18:49

Really looking forward to this series. Can't wait!

oli collett · 11 Jul 2011 at 19:52

Can't wait for this! Going to days 2 & 3 at Trent Bridge

Can anyone believe there is still a debate between Broad/Bresnan? I can't believe people are even suggesting that Broad should be the preferred choice

TheCenturion · 11 Jul 2011 at 20:18

oli collett said:
Can't wait for this! Going to days 2 & 3 at Trent Bridge

Can anyone believe there is still a debate between Broad/Bresnan? I can't believe people are even suggesting that Broad should be the preferred choice

The one thing I'd give in Broad's favour is experience. He might be out of form, but he's played a hell of a lot more cricket than Bresnan. Remember that they will be bowling at the world's best batting line up. Should Bresnan be picked, he'll need to be carefully guided by Anderson as to what areas to bowl at.

oli collett · 11 Jul 2011 at 20:22

TheCenturion said:
The one thing I'd give in Broad's favour is experience. He might be out of form, but he's played a hell of a lot more cricket than Bresnan. Remember that they will be bowling at the world's best batting line up. Should Bresnan be picked, he'll need to be carefully guided by Anderson as to what areas to bowl at.

True, but the way Bresnan came in to the Melbourne test was brilliant - yes India's batting lineup is FAR superior to Australia's, but England were on the back of a loss at Perth and he produced some incredible spells.

Plus, if Broad is going to carry on bowling that short stuff, I think Bresnan makes a much more balanced attack with his ability to find reverse swing (if conditions suit)

TheCenturion · 11 Jul 2011 at 21:40

I see what you mean.

If we're talking about balance, bresnan fits in. Bresnan and Anderson to bowl swing, and Tremlettt to be a 'bang it in' type guy.

Rich_L · 11 Jul 2011 at 21:46

Nice OP

Looking forward to this, only disappointment is that it isn't a 5-Test series, no doubt because of pointless pajama cricket afterwards. At least it is all at proper Test venues though.

I'm going for a 2-1 England win, I think on home soil we have the beating of India though it's going to be very tight.

Broad vs Bresnan I don't know about - I would normally say Broad for the experience and batting prowess but he seems to have lost his touch with the bat and I still don't think he's fully fit from his last injury.

TheCenturion · 11 Jul 2011 at 22:29

It'll be interesting to see whether India go with a 2-2 bowling attack or 3-1.

Looking at the squad, they've gone with 5 pace bowlers and two spinners, so I'm guessing they're preparing for 3-1. Mishra is a decent spinner, but I don't really think that he's quite ready to operate alongside Harbhajan.

It's fairly predictable that the 3 seamers will be Zaheer, Sharma and Sreesanth. Zaheer pretty much picks himself, and Sharma's form in the West Indies tour pretty much guarantees that he'll start at Lord's. I'm just not sure about Sreesanth. He's a fiery character, which will be good against England, but unfortunately his bowling sucks imo. He can often bowls unplayable deliveries. Those deliveries are unfortunately in a sea of absolute crap. I don't think it's worth having Sreesanth smacked around in order that he 'might' produce some magic.

Me personally, I'd look towards Munaf Patel or Praveen Kumar as the 3rd seamer. Praveen has a lot of control and can generate a mighty amount of swing. He's a little lacking in pace, but he makes up for it with his other skills. Munaf Patel is a little quicker and he is extremely consistent, his skill is in being able to constantly put the ball in the same spot. He can get some swing, but he can also cut the ball.

Rich_L said:
Nice OP

Cheers, just shows you how much I'm looking forward to it eh?

sigma · 11 Jul 2011 at 23:03

I'm at the Rose Bowl.

Woop!

If it's hot then India should do well, if it's not, England should do well.

Should be a great series.

TheCenturion · 12 Jul 2011 at 15:10

Brilliant interview with Harbhajan if anyone is interested

http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/522530.html

TheCenturion · 12 Jul 2011 at 21:33

YES!

I thought that Oval ODI tickets were sold out. But I went on their website and there was ONE ticket left. And I bought it!!!!

Also just bought some oval day 4 and day5 tickets! [day 5 tickets are not for me]

So now I'm going to:

Lords day 4
Oval day1, day 4
Oval ODI

I'm so happy right now

sigma · 12 Jul 2011 at 21:45

Nice! I'd love to watch a whole test from start to finish.

TheCenturion · 12 Jul 2011 at 21:55

sigma said:
Nice! I'd love to watch a whole test from start to finish.

I wish I could too

But I've got too much going on this summer, need to prepare for university applications, so I had to limit the amount of cricket I watch. I'll still catch the other tests on TV though

Alpherah · 12 Jul 2011 at 22:17

RE: Broad/Bresnan, depends on the surface for me.
Bouncy? Broad, chance of (reverse)/swing? Bresnan

Also worth noting Broad just got 5 wickets for his county.
How? pitching it up! He can do it

TheCenturion · 14 Jul 2011 at 16:21

Sehwag out for the first 2 tests, definitely

http://www.espncricinfo.com/england-v-india-2011/content/current/story/523283.html

It's a shame, he's our best batsman. The equivalent would be Cook or Trott being injured for England.

shadow_boxer · 15 Jul 2011 at 12:11

Disappointing news about Sehwag. He's such an important player, brings that uncertainty and fear.

TheCenturion · 15 Jul 2011 at 12:28

Wow, Strauss is just digging into India

60 off 73 so far :

Everyone who didn't play in the Windies series is playing today. Also Mukund, Munaf, Dravid and Mishra are being given some extra match practice.

England V India ***Clash of the Heavyweights*** Test, T20 and ODI Series

England V India Clash of the Heavyweights Test, T20 and ODI Series