How do you think the England v India Test series will go? Here’s what former players have to say
20-Jul-2011Nari Contractor: “In Sehwag’s absence India will be found wanting, we will be experimenting at the top.”•Associated Press”England will start as favourites since they will be playing at home. Also, they have a better seam attack that will be able to exploit the conditions better. Having said that, India have a better side on paper, definitely a longer batting line-up. It could come down to a contest between quality batting sides. At the moment, England’s top six are as good as any in world cricket, India’s strength has always been its batting.”
“England have some of the best seamers in their armoury. Handling Chris Tremlett will be a tough task for the Indians. Then, there is James Anderson, who can swing the ball beautifully. Swann won’t be as threatening as others because Indians are good players of spin. They are a very good fielding side. India have also improved, but we have been dropping catches in the slip cordon and that is the area we need to improve upon.”
“England are a good side. They have variety in their attack. They have great top order batting, for them to make next step and stay there it will be about how they play the game. If they just stick to process and wear oppositions down they will not win series by whitewashes. They are just going to do enough and win 1-0. Strauss needs to put them in a situation where it is win at all costs. Then it is fun, it is energising and makes it entertaining for everyone.”
“We are not playing in an era when we have a great team like Australia who have dominated for so long. They were so much better than the rest of the world. India are a good team, but you can certainly see England within a year or so getting there.”
“India won the recently concluded West Indies tour and there seems to be no reason for not continuing with the feat in England. The Indian team will surely come back victorious.”
“We used to quake in our boots when the West Indies batting order was read out. Greenidge, Haynes, Gomes, Richards, Richardson, Lloyd, Dujon, and then the nuclear warhead [the bowling line-up] after that. Sehwag, Gambhir, Dravid, Tendulkar, Laxman, Kohli, Dhoni has a similar ring to it. But I think England have a better bowling attack. Bounce and swing will unsettle the Indian batsmen because they’re not used to that at home.”
“To me, on paper, it’s a very even contest. I think the pitches could define which way the series goes. I wouldn’t suggest we play it on green seamers, because I don’t think their attack is bad. Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma and Munaf Patel – they’ll be decent on seaming tracks, which is why it’s quite even. In terms of turning wickets as well, you’ve got Harbhajan Singh, you’ve got Graeme Swann.”
“I can see draws at both Lord’s and Trent Bridge, and if that is the case then the third Test at Edgbaston might well be the time for England to go all-out for the 20 Indian wickets they need to win a match. If you want to get to No. 1 in the world then you have to be prepared at times to all-out attack.”
“It will be a contest of their bowlers versus our batsmen. Sehwag on top would always relieve pressure on the rest of the side, but in his absence, India will be found wanting. We will be experimenting at the top in Sehwag’s absence, so that makes us vulnerable and if two of these three legends [Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman] don’t stand up, like they have done for so long, India are in trouble.”
“India have a real chance. Clearly, the way Ishant Sharma bowled in the West Indies is a plus for India. He and Zaheer Khan have a big role to play. The Zaheer-Andrew Strauss battle is the one to look out for. Then, we all know about India’s batting. Look at Harbhajan Singh, he has two Test hundreds.”
“If England win the toss, bat first and play 5 bowlers, they will win the Lord’s Test, weather permitting.”
