A hotly anticipated series between two nations fighting for the world number 1 spot. History was also being made as this match was the 2000 match in test cricket and 100th match between these nations and playing all this at the home of cricket Lords was the perfect venue for an super series. There were many mini battles as well to deal with with Zaheer vs the England left handers and the battle of the spinners and the England bowling attack vs the India batting and many other battles which will help find out who will win this series. The maths was clear England needed to win by 2 or more clear matches to become the world number 1. If they dont then India will keep there number 1 status but if England win the series by 1 match or draw the series it will be enough to take them up to world number 2 off South Africa. Both teams come off series victories as India won in the West Indies in tests and ODI while England also won test and ODI series against Sri Lanka.
Day 1 report: As an typical English morning the heavens opened and delayed the start of the game by half an hour. The toss was taken at 11 AM which was won by India and because of the conditions he choose to put England into bat. Lords had an tense feel about it on this fresh morning as the anticipation of this eagerly waited series and this feel got to the English openers as the first 3 overs were maidens. The task for England was clear to see as the ball was swinging around towards and away from the batsman and it would take full concentration.
The first runs England scored was an edge which went away for an boundary off Cook's bat. This super and accurate bowling continued throughout as the two openers struggled on. Kumar was bowling these full ball tempting the openers to have an go at and then seaming the ball away at the last moment while Zaheer was bowling straight balls making the batsman play and this pressure paid off in the 10th over as Zaheer got one past Cook defence and trapped him straight LBW. England were 19-1 after 10 overs. It was down to Strauss and Trott to fight in there. India gave England very few easy balls to hit. This was almost rewarded India pressure when Harbhajan bowled his first ball which Trott edged and Dravid put down an tough chance. The two batsman survived till lunch and were 43-1 after 20 overs showing how tough the conditions were.
After an tough first session and really showing what test cricket was all about India continued where they left off from the morning session. They were bowling straight fullish balls which were not too fast to let the ball seam or swing around to tease the England batsman. With these 2 mindsets of defending those balls they were looking to try and be positive when the ball was short. The few times in the morning session that happened they put away but this time Zaheer put one short ball in as an surprise ball which Strauss miss timed and that went straight up in the air for Sharma to get an easy catch. England were 62-2 and India knowing another couple of wickets and England would be in deep trouble as Kevin Pietersen came into bat. India with there tails up were bowling really unplayable balls. England were struggling but they were hanging in there and slowly it got easier to bat on. Pietersen always seemed to dice with death by trying to dominate the bowling. This was keeping everyone on the edge of the seats. While on the other end Trott seemed untroubled until Zaheer came back into the attack and forced an edge off Trott's bat which went between wicket-keeper and first slip. An catch expose to be taken every time. An big let off for Trott and England as England went to 100 off 40 overs.
It got bad to worse for India as Zaheer Khan's next over he seemed to pull his Hamstring and he was forced off the field. There main bowler who spears there attack was now out of the match from an bowling point of view. Relieve for England and it showed in there batting as the runs seemed to come an little more freely. Trott was able to get to his 50 hitting Harbhajan for an easy single. The conditions were not getting easier to play at though as the clouds grew darker and all 4 lights at Lords were on. Even with the bright lights on it was still very difficult to see and especially Kevin Pieterson was struggling to see the ball clearly and at 10 minutes to 4PM they were off for bad light. England were 126-2.
Early tea was taken but the conditions got worse and only at 6PM the conditions got good enough for them to have an 6.30 start however that didnt work as the heavens opened again and play was called off for the day with England 126-2. They would be delighted with that score after being put in in difficult conditions. They struggled a lot but would be happy only 2 down. For India it was an poor day as they put England in and when you put an opposition in you expect more wickets with the conditions really helping India seamer's. Also Zaheer Injury is an big concern meaning they only had 3 front line bowlers with an few overs from Raina maybe in day 2. India need early wickets as the conditions will improve for batting and for England its to get through the early passage as India only have 3 bowlers and the runs can come easier for them.
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