1st Test peters out
India vs England, Lord’s Day 5
Sadly, the match that was truly poised for a thrilling finish, came to nothing as England’s shoddy weather intervened. Day 5 started with India needing some 250 runs for the win, or to save 7 wickets to ensure the draw. England were in a strong position after day 4 following some terrific batting from KP, which he subsequently described as his best batting performance to-date, and some equally terrific bowling from James Anderson and Monty Panesar. Late in the day, Monty yet again claimed the prize wicket of Sachin Tendulkar to set it all up.
In fairness, that there was even as much play as there was nothing short of a miracle and is, in part, testament to the quality of the £1.2m drainage system at Lord’s. Play was uninterrupted until midway through the middle session when bad light forced an early tea. Rain then stopped play for good. At the time, India were perilously close to losing, with 9 wickets down, but some spirited batting from Mahendra Dhoni in particular, saw them do just enough to stave it off.
England do look the stronger side, despite a massively inexperienced bowling attack, but once again, people have stepped up when it mattered. Sideshow Bob has moreorless cemented his place for the foreseeable future and Jimmy Anderson repaid the selectors’ continued faith with a well earned 5fer. Chris Tremlett looked good enough, but didn’t do enough to keep his place when the likes of Hoggard and Flintoff are fit again. However, with both out for at least the next test, Tremmers will certainly get another chance to prove himself. Runs for Strauss and Vaughan in the first innings were welcome and overdue, and Matt Prior continues to illustrate the type of consistency that is required, and has been severely lacking, in the England wicket keeper - it’s a massive relief to have the questions over that position finally put to bed.
The 2nd Test gets underway at Trent Bridge on Friday.
Tags: chris-tremlett, cricket, dravid, England, ganguly, India, International-Cricket, james-anderson, Lords, monty-panesar, pietersen, test, Test Cricket, vaughanRelated Stories
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