Will the real World Champions please stand up

The one day series between India and Australia was being described as the battle of the world champions. Australia have held the crown in all formats of the game for a long time and deserve the tag, whereas India had just won the Twenty20 championship, the newest and quickest format of the game. It did not seem a fair comparison to me and Australia have duly set the record straight as they always seem to do when someone threatens their crown. They will no doubt get better at Twenty20 as they take it more seriously.

For India all the euphoria and celebrations in Mumbai after their victory seem a distant memory. I kept thinking of the celebrations England had after their Ashes win in 2005, and although I count that as a bigger achievement, I felt that the celebrations went too far. The wounded Aussies were plotting revenge on the plane home as England just relaxed and basked in the glory. England were totally outplayed in the next series and brought to earth with a bang. The Aussies had raised their game to another level after the defeat and there was this gap again between them and the rest.

I felt a similar emotion when I saw the Indians celebrating and felt sure that the Aussies would exact revenge. Nothing stirs them more than seeing another team lauding their success. That would have given them all the motivation they needed to play better than ever. They have proved that yet again they are a distance ahead from the rest. In order to beat them they have to be under par and the other team has to be playing at their best in all aspects of the game. India came closer than they have at other times in this seies and there are very good signs as they can only improve. The Aussies still won by a big margin and never looked like loosing the series.

The Indians had decided to fight fire with fire and came out throwing all the punches with their aggressive attitude on the field. It is all well and good to do this as Indians have been labelled too soft in the past but in the end it is the performance that counts and not who out sledged whom. It seems to me that Indians almost seem to invite the sledging by their behaviour and when it gets too far, they cry wolf. It is better if they channelled all that aggression into their play, as when they do that they seem to do well. The Aussies are masters at mind games as well and are no angels but they produce the goods almost everytime and you have to admire them for that.

The end of the series left a bad taste in the mouth with some sections of the crowd monkey chanting towards Andrew Symonds. This is going too far and there is no room for that sort of behaviour in the game. It is personal and nasty and clearly affected Symonds. I think the offenders in Mumbai must have thought they were being cool, copying similar behaviour in the previous game at Vadodara, when the matter was taken lightly by the officials. The way to prevent this spreading is to ensure that the offenders are duly punished and a strong message sent out that this sort of behaviour will not be tolerated. The Aussie crowd are not above this sort of behaviour themselves, with many visiting teams, including Sri Lanka, West Indies and South Africa complaining of abuse dished out to them. Monty Panesar was counselled before the Ashes tour last winter against abuse that he was likely to face. In the end the crowd actually took to him and apart from some isolated cases, there was no major incident. It tends to happen all round the world by an ignorant minority and whereas a bit of mocking is fine and adds to the atmosphere, it is when it crosses the boundary and becomes personal and racist that it becomes unsavory and action needs to be taken.

I look forward to the Test series between Australia and India as it is bound to be hard fought and will carry the needle between the teams that has been evident in this series, which always makes a contest that much more spicy and even more of a spectacle. The Aussies have proved that they are the true world champs and have stood up to be counted when required. It is up to the Indians to rise to the challenge and fight hard in a format of a game that really is the ultimate test.

Less is more

I don't know if it is just me but I am finding this constant diet of the short form of cricket rather tedious and boring. It has lost any value and interest for me and it is a struggle to watch it. I was never a big fan of the shorter version of the game but the sheer number of games played is killing any interest and entertainment value.

The one day format certainly seems dull and too long after the Twenty20 circus. The powers that be want to continue this format as it is the money earner and that is the name of the game now but I am sure that Twenty20 can be as profitable if not more because of its popularity. There are far too many games played that it is hard to stay interested.

There is no time to miss cricket as one tournament follows the other in quick succession without having enough time to draw breath. It must be mentally and physically hard on the players to constantly have to perform at the top level and keep up the intensity and interest. I remember times times when I used to eagerly await a series after a long break but now it is an effort to watch some of the games as there is nothing new to watch and just too many matches.

I am now eagerly awaiting a good Test series and the time between Tests is growing ever longer.The last Test in England was in mid August, where we were left gasping for more but instead we had a prolonged one day series to be followed by more of the same everywhere. It seems an age to wait now for a Test series.

In these times of money driving schedules and the number of games played it would be good if the authorities realised that more is not always better but that less is actually more.

Young guns clinch T20 Cup

The final of the Twenty20 Cup lived up to all expectations and was a fitting end to a successful Twenty20 World Cup. How different it was in every way to that other final six months ago in the Caribbean.

India and Pakistan have had a long and hard journey since they were dramatically dumped out of that tournament with each having their own problems. Both faced criticism from all quarters and had the hard task of rebuilding their teams and restoring faith.

How different both teams have looked in this tournament, both with young fearless captains leading young and inexperienced teams with nothing to loose. There were no expectations this time on either team, but both have stood out with their attitude, skill, hunger to win and above all willingness to have fun. Both teams have not had the senior players or superstars and I think that that has the effect of lifting them to play uninhibited cricket. It is almost as if a burden has been lifted akin to parents being away from home and the kids playing in a free spirited manner without any restrictions and fear of being reprimanded.

Dhoni has shown faith in his players and asked that they perform to the best of their ability and above all have fun. It has worked on this occasion and he has proved to be an exceptional leader in his short spell. There are sterner tests ahead but it is a great start and he should take the credit for the success as he would do for failure.

The question now remains on what happens when the senior players return and indeed if they can walk back into the side after this team has performed so well. It is hard to break up a winning team so some hard and brave decisions lie ahead for the Indian selectors. One feels sorry for the big four as they never managed to get a winners medal in a major world cup tournament after so many successful years and this young team has done it at the first time of asking.

The success of Twenty20 heralds a new era for the short version of the game and I fear that the one day format may be the victim of its success. There is not enough room to play all formats of the game at a rate it is now, with the number of Twenty20 matches likely to increase. I can foresee more Twenty20 matches and less one day matches in the international calendar. The one day format was suffering beforehand and now I cannot see a way that it can compete with the new more popular and entertaining version of the game which has taken all the good bits of the one day game and taken them to another level.

India will no doubt have a grand welcome awaiting them when they land in Mumbai tomorrow, with a procession planned and no doubt more praise and riches being endowed on them from all quarters. The party boys will continue the dancing they started in South Africa and will have many more to dance along with them.

Cricket for breakfast, lunch and dinner

I did not think that I would be watching too much of the Twenty20 World Cup, as it is so removed from tests, but my interest was aroused after Zimbabwe defeated Australia in the first week and I started to watch the matches. The games were very conveniently scheduled as they were on when I was having breakfast, lunch and dinner, so it was wall to wall cricket all day. The pace is fast and furious, blink and you miss another big six.

It is easy to understand why it is such a big hit and has drawn in spectators new to cricket. The formula is simple and it is all over in three hours, and before you know it the next game has started. If test cricket is your four course gourmet dinner, 50 overs is your fast food, then Twenty20 must be grabbing a snack on the run from a stall. Each satisfies your appetite in different ways and maybe you pick and chose the one that best suits you at the time. The purists of the game may think that is is watering down the game to an extent that it is unrecognisable but if it is popular, as it clearly is, then it is sure to stay and is a sign of the times. If it can help to globalise the game, as it looks like doing then it can be good for the game.

Whether fans will upgrade to the longer forms of the game, having been introduced to it in this short format remains to be seen. I came into the game watching tests and for me there is nothing else that can touch it in cricket or any other sports. If tests were not played I am doubtful that I would watch the game as the passion and all the wonderful subtleties of the game would not be there. I think there is room for all formats, and as long as they do not tinker with tests I will be happy.

The tournament is reaching an exciting climax at the end of the second week and when I look back at the matches, it all seems a blur and I can only recount the stand out moments. For me that was Australia loosing, as it is such a rare event, the bowl out between India and Pakistan because I had never seen anything so crazy before, six sixes in an over by Yuvraj for pure entertainment and that is it. As we reach the climax, my short lived love affair with this format seems to be waning. It is almost like I have been on a diet of junk food for the last two weeks and my stomach has had enough of the quick fixes and carves some quality home cooked food. I will have to put time and effort in to prepare it but for me it will be worth every minute for the satisfaction just like tests take up five whole days but the satisfaction and pleasure during and at the end of it is incomparable. I never feel like I have had enough but cannot wait for the next one.

The schedule seems packed of the shorter version of the game in the next couple of months and I am just tired watching so what must the players feel like? It is a constant roller coaster and the addition of yet another format which is likely to grow will only add to the already packed schedule.I fear for player burnout and the quality of cricket which it is bound to impact, not to mention the likelihood of more injuries and key players out of action for the important games.

I am going off to prepare my home cooked meal, might take a while but it will be worth it.

England clinch the series

There was a lot of anticipation and expectation for the grand finale of an exciting one day series at Lords. St Johns Wood station was a buzz with hardly space to move, with tickets being sold at crazy prices. After the fantastic game at the Oval, most people expected a repeat performance.

Apparently the Indian team had been to a formal dinner the previous evening and perhaps had a late night or something as they just looked out of sorts. The first ball to Ganguly by Anderson set the tone. England seemed ready for battle whereas India found it hard to come out of the starting block. Ganguly who has been in prime form through the tour looked anxious and tried to hit his way out of trouble. Tendulkar who looked in supreme touch realised his partner was struggling and offered advice but he persevered skiing the ball all over the place before being caught at slip. An good opening partnership has been an important factor for India doing well in the series and this was not a good omen for them.

Credit has to be given to England who did not let India settle and bowled to tight plans and fielded brilliantly. Collingwood captained the side well again and must have been glad to loose the toss. This England side has taken huge strides throughout this series and for the first time in years looks like a good outfit with a handful of young exciting players which have brought renewed vigour to the side.

There were some controversial umpiring decisions against Dravid and Tendulkar at a crucial part of the Indian innings. Technology showed that Dravid had a nick whereas Tendulkar was unlucky yet again and showed his disappointment when walking off perhaps for the final time on English soil. Uthappa was lucky not be be given out so these things usually even out but it raises the debate on what part technology should play in the game. India never really recovered after the early collapse and a flourish from Dhoni at the end helped them to a half respectable score but it was always going to be hard to defend unless they took lots of wickets.

England lost both their openers without scoring but Pietersen came good for the final game as good players tend to and Collingwood played as well as I have seen him play to ease to a comfortable win in the end. It was not the thriller we all wanted and but in the end England deserved to win as they had played well in all departments of the game consistently through the series, with their bowling and fielding making the difference. India relied too much on their batsman putting up big scores to make up for their inferior bowling and fielding. They will have to improve in these areas to really put pressure on the opposition.

The action now moves to the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa and both these teams hardly have time to draw breath as they leave today. At least they will be nicely warmed up for the event, whereas other teams who have been out of action for a while will need time to warm up. The Aussies have had a long break again but who would bet against them clinching this title as well to add to all the others in their crowded trophy cabinet.

I can hardly believe the tour is over and I hate this time, especially after a memorable tour as this one was, having been lucky enough to catch a lot of the games, with both tests and one day games being of the highest standard, between two well matched sides. There is that empty feeling now that every cricket fan feels after a great series. It is Sunday and the sun is shining so maybe I will go and watch a game of club cricket somewhere, any cricket will do........

Grand finale at Lords

Apologies for the break in blogging, other events took over and cricket took a back seat.

I am a cricket purist and love test matches, always have done, ODI's have never had the same passion and intensity for me and I usually find it hard to muster even enthusiasm to write about them or discuss them at length. Having said that, a series between India and England is not one I would miss and would always have half an eye on.

The teams were well matched which made for a great test series but I expected India to be the favourites against England in the ODI's. The most surprising factor for me has been the way England have played throughout, looking a very good side, challenging India and coming out on top where in the past they would have flopped.It has been a very different side to that seen previously and they have exploited India's weaknesses very well. India's seam bowling which was so good in the tests has let them down, except for Zaheer Khan and the twin spinners have been very impressive. The fielding and running between the wickets has cost them many runs and been cruelly exposed in this format of the game. I have been surprised at Dinesh Karthik, who has many good qualities and is a high spirited young man and gives the impression from his body language of being an ace fielder when in reality he was less than ordinary. Robin Uthappa made a real difference coming in as his replacement at the Oval.

The old guard of Sachin and Saurav came good again and when they had a good opening stand, India did well. Sachin in particular was very impressive and looked like his old fluent self with none of the inhibitions that were evident in the tests. Yuvraj showed what a good player he is again and Dravid has had a good series. The batting when it fires is awesome but India will have to work on the other areas if they are going to compete with the Aussies, who are likely to expose those frailties even more.

The crop of young players coming through for England is amazing and many would not have had a chance but for the long line of injuries that continue. It is a shame that Andrew Flintoff is again suffering with his angle, after looking really impressive with his balling. He gives England that extra dimension and they are a much stronger team with him in it. The young guns like Broad, Bopara and Wright have been very impressive and shown their potential in the series. I saw Luke Wright at one of the warm up games and could tell that he was a special talent, as he has that mix of talent and temperament to succeed. Stuart Broad has the makings of a genuine all rounder as does Bopara so the future looks good.

At the start seven matches seemed too many and I expected interest to wane near the end but it is all set up for a thrilling climax at Lords with the series level at 3-3 and all to play for. It will be the ideal setting for such an event with packed crowds and the weather set to be fair. Most people will think back to that classic Nat West final in 2002 at the same venue and wonder if that will be repeated. India will certainly be hoping for the same result and will be buoyed up to finish on a winning note to add to their success in the test series. England will want to continue their good form and will be looking to clinch the series to register a series win which would have seemed unlikely at the beginning.

It is all set up for a grand final and even I will savour the last day of a memorable tour with a tinge of sadness that this is the end of the season in England and autumn looms.

England run India ragged

England won the first one-day match at the Rose Bowl convincingly, outplaying India in all departments.

On yet another cold day, Dravid chose to bowl first hoping to get some help from the conditions but the wicket was flat and favoured the batsman. England made a steady start and did not take advantage of the power plays, deciding to build a solid foundation instead. They played correctly and the run rate began to increase as the innings progressed. One felt that they were missing a trick again but this time the batting came good with Cook and Bell making maiden one-day centuries, with Bell particularly impressive, continuing where he had left off at the Oval on the last day. They stole the show from the stars, with Pietersen only coming in for the last few overs and Flintoff not required.

India have few options in the bowling department and looked very ordinary. In the absence of swing, their bowlers had no other weapons and were just hoping for the batsman to make mistakes. Ajit Argakar, with a distinct lack of pace looked very ordinary and India may have to re -think their bowling attack. The other major factor was the fielding which one felt would always be their weakness and it really showed up today as there was nowhere to hide. England took full advantage and literally ran India ragged by taking an extra run on most occasions. A total of 288 was good but possible to get by the stellar batting line up. England would have been disappointed not to reach 300 from the position they were in but this was a handy total to defend.

The crucial blow for India right at the start was the run out of Saurav Ganguly by none other than Monty Panesar. They never really recovered from that and were relying on Ganguly to make full use of the power plays. England bowlers bowled superbly, revving up the pace in the absence of swing. Anderson was right on the money and made the crucial breakthroughs in his first spell, leaving India in tatters. To add to this there was the comical running between wickets which only got worse as there seemed to be a total lack of understanding between the batsman who simply stared at each other after every gaff.

Andrew Flintoff marked his return with an impressive spell full of aggression and speed. His presence certainly strengthens the team and gives them more options. He seemed back to his best straight away and the celebration after he took Dhoni's wicket said it all as he has not shown that sort of determination since 2005 Ashes. It all augers well for England and India will have to think of ways of counteracting his pace and accuracy.

Many fans did not stay until the end and the stadium was half full before the end, as an England victory was inevitable from an early stage. The Indian fans , who take this to heart will have been very disappointed by their teams performance. They did not have a chance to show their presence today and were dampened not only by the weather but by India's performance.

England fans on the other hand will be hoping that their team can go on to reproduce this kind of performance consistently throughout the series. They proved their detractors wrong on this occasion and showed what they are capable of. They pulled off one of their best one-day performance in a long time.

It sets it up well for the next match at Bristol on Friday.

Rain spoils warm up game

I returned to Northampton again this summer to watch India play England Lions in a warm up match. I had been looking forward to coming back to this lovely ground again and it has become a favourite of mine. I nearly did not make it when I heard the weather forecast which predicted rain but I had to be there and I am glad I went.

The match had already begun when I arrived as it had been pushed forward and the ground was packed, mainly with Indian supporters making themselves heard. It was a wonderful sight to see this quaint ground in its full glory and really come alive.

England had been put into bat and a wicket had already fallen. The scoring rate was very brisk with Luke Wright and Vikram Solanki at the crease. Wright was really impressive playing strokes all round the ground with ease. The Indian seamers were literally being taken apart and looked very ordinary. Munaf Patel seemed a shadow of his former self and leaked a lot of runs and Zaheer Khan was also very ordinary. The Lions seemed to have a plan of making the most of the powerplays and it was paying off. This was almost a England third team but on this showing they could teach a lesson or two to their senior colleagues on how to play the limited version of the game. Agit Argakar came on as change but did not manage to halt the scoring rate and again failed to impress.

The spinners Pawar and Chawla came into the attack and made a difference as wickets started to fall. England continued to be aggressive but some false strokes meant that a few wickets fell quite quickly. It was a long batting line up and everyone played their part in a very positive manner. On this showing India are going to improve on their bowling as the all the seamers were plundered for runs and the option of playing two spinners may be a good one.

There was plenty of action going on off the field of play as fans cheered the sight of their idols either on the balcony or as in Dravid's case as he went of to go to the nets. The whole squad was at the ground and Tendulkar made an appearance at lunchtime practising on the field much to the fans delight. There was such a scurry that a fan that a boundary board collapsed and a fan ended up on the floor at Sachin's feet.

Saurav was playing in the match and I spent a lot of time near the boundary edge where he was fielding and signing autographs. I have known Saurav since his stint at Lancashire in 2000, when I first met him and I have seen or talked to him most times that he has been in England since then. I had not had the chance this year and it was good to see that he instantly recognised me and gave me a wave and a smile. This may be the last year he plays in England and I wanted to savour every moment of someone I have always considered a great player and person.

There were cries of 'Dada Dada' from the fans and to his credit he willingly obliged everyone to their delight. The most sweetest moment was when a little English girl next to me shouted out his name and he noticed her and came over to sign her autograph. The beaming smile on her face was fantastic to see.

The flurry of runs continued and an imposing score of 296 was posted by the Lions. This had all the makings of a good match but grey clouds were circling the ground now. There was plenty of entertainment during lunch as the dhol players started playing in the stand that I was sitting in. There was dancing and a great atmosphere as everyone tucked into their lunch. There was plenty of Indian food being served at the ground which was popular along with the favourite chips with a bit of spicy sauce.The first signs of rain appeared and the covers went on which was not a good sight but thankfully it subsided and play began after a short delay.

The openers were Saurav and Robin Uttapa and we all settled down to watch. Saurav continued where he had left off at the tests and played a few stunning shots before the rain came. The players came of to some boos but as predicted it became heavier and it just a question of waiting. A lot of us gathered in a massive hall serving food and drink and we all waited and waited. The rain did ease after an hour or so but the match was eventually abandoned at around 4pm. Many fans had already left and it was such a shame as it would have been a cracking game.

It was strange but I had enjoyed this match and the one at Chelmsford much more than the tests, simply for the informal and relaxed atmosphere you get at the smaller grounds. Lords and Oval can be too formal with too many restrictions for the fans and at these grounds everyone is friendly. You feel much closer to the action and the players as they are at touching distance and much more accessible. I had a tinge of sadness as I had no plans to go to any of the one dayers and it would be a long wait to see India again in England and never see this team together again.

As I left the ground for the last time this year, there was the usual gathering of fans desperate to see the team one last time as they boarded the coach. I reflected on the day and was so glad that I made it as it had been one of those special days despite the rain.

India draw to ensure series win

India finally won a series in England after 21 years and you could see how much it meant to them as they celebrated after England held out well for a draw. I was lucky to be there on the final day of the series which has been a great advert for test cricket. It seems a premature end to a series as three tests are not enough and we are all left gasping for more.

There was a very good crowd for the last day and a buzz about the place with plenty of supporters from both sides sitting side by side and enjoying some friendly banter. There was plenty of vocal support for India, with their fans armed with flags and plenty of cheer ready to party at the end. An England victory was unlikely, even thou there was plenty of chat about the possibility if they managed a good run rate and kept their wickets. As soon as the openers were gone, only two results were possible, a draw or a win for India. Sreesanth impressed with his opening spell and for once he let his bowling do the talking which was good to see. Every wicket was met with loud cheers from the Indian contingent as they willed India on to win.

England showed a lot more determination and most of the batsman made a good contribution. Pietersen and Vaughan looked very comfortable at the crease and played some great strokes. A break for bad light seemed to account for Vaughans's wicket as he played a rash stroke. Pietersen continued his patience innings and crafted yet another entertaining hundred. Collingwood played well and Bell's cameo at the end was very impressive. England played very positive cricket throughout the day and made India work very hard for each wicket.

Time eventually ran out for India but they never really looked like they were going for the win after they decided not to enforce the follow on. I found that decision very strange when they had the opposition down and out and they had the opportunity to jump all over them. I can just about understand it even thou I may not agree with it as they have faltered in the past and they wanted to go for safety first. The thing that I did not understand was Dravid's ultra defensive innings and had it not been for the fluency of Ganguly and Laxman, India might have dug a hole for themselves.They let England back from the dead and the momentum shifted but the lead was so huge and that saved them. The 500 figure that Dravid had in his mind still took up valuable time which might have been better spent bowling at England. A lot more can be said but the task was a series win and that is what was achieved in the end and the way India played in the last two tests, they deserved to win.

It is fitting that India is celebrating 60 years of independence and they can mark that with a win over England in their own backyard which makes it very special. There are a lot of events all round London this summer to mark the occasion and I was at an event at Trafalgar Square on Friday evening with classical Indian dance and an amazing sequence of dancers lifted up to the sky at night on a crane.

I stayed on to watch India celebrate at the end and the thing I have noticed about this team is that have bonded very well and are playing for each other and each one has contributed. The absence of a coach has not been felt with the seniors taking a leading role in nurturing the youngsters and it has been a team effort. Every time I glimpse at the dressing room, I can see a smiling Chandu Borde sitting with Vensarger and the players in a very harmonious environment. For me that has been the most pleasing factor and I think a big reason that the team have played so well, with no visible factions within the camp. The senior players have been especially savouring every moment and it was good to see Sachin and Saurav being cheered by the fans every time they came near the boundary edge from where I was sitting. Indeed Sachin was enjoying it so much he asked for more cheer smiling with that cherubic face. Saurav has played as fluently as I have ever seen him play and never looked in trouble and probably deserved a hundred this tour. It is ironic that the man to get a hundred was Anil Kumble, and not any of the star batsman.

As I left the ground for the final time this year, the Indian fans were jumping and singing and generally making themselves heard all round the ground and outside as they made their way home. I smiled to myself as I saw the coach that India does have on this tour, the one that takes them from the ground to the hotel. It seems that at the moment that is the only one that they need.

Now it is on to the one day circus which will be quite a spectacle as the Indian fans will be out in great numbers and in a mood to really party.

A jelly bean too far

India won the second Test at Trent Bridge to go one up in the series, but all the talk is of jelly beans and the warfare between the two sides. A certain amount of aggression is expected in an heated battle and gives the game that extra edge and adds to the enjoyment.

The jelly bean affair suggests that it went too far and became childish school boy stuff best left in the playground. The field was splattered with jelly beans yesterday, no doubt from spectators after the incident the day before which incensed Zaheer Khan to do some bat waving at Kevin Pieteresen. If it was a ploy to unsettle the Indians by England, it surely backfired on them as Zaheer was so fired up by that incident that he went on to tear down the English lower middle order to shreds. I am sure if that is the desired result, India would not mind that happening again.

England have been aggressive in recent years, especially against the Aussies in 2005 to give them a taste of their own medicine and it worked well then as they hunted in packs. The Aussies themselves have always been aggressive and use it as a weapon to intimidate their opponents mentally even before the game has begun. It has worked well for them but the important thing is they also have the skill to back up any verbal game play. Teams in the Test arena have to expect some of this and be mentally tough to withstand it and give it back.

The question is that when does such behaviour cross the line and is against the spirit of the game. I would say that some of the antics came very close to that and both teams will now be mindful of their behaviour in the next match. Sreesanth in particular was affected by it and may need to review some of his actions. He would do well to look at how Zaheer Khan acted and used it to his advantage. Sreesanth's youth and exuberance are an advantage for him and I remember being very impressed by it when I first saw him in the India A team against England in a warm up game in Baroda in 2006. He caught my eye and I marked him out as a future star then. His attitude in this Test has left me a bit disappointed in him as I think he has let himself, his team and his fans down. He needs to control his mind in the heat of the action and it seems it is a complex mind.

I would prefer to remember the match for the cricket, which was of the highest standard throughout the match.The Fourth day stands out as being one of the best days as it had some classic batting from Michael Vaughan which if it had gone on would have turned the match in England's favour and then a blistering spell of bowling from Zaheer Khan to turn the tide back towards India. That is the kind of day that makes one love this form of the game above any other as it is pure scintillating drama turning one way and then the other.

Both teams now have some time off to reflect and focus on the next match. England will be looking to win the next match as they have not lost a home series since 2001. They will pull out all the stops in an effort to win and we might see some short pitch bowling from their tall bowlers to make use of a bouncy wicket at the Oval. They know that Indian batsmen can be uncomfortable with bounce as was the case in the second innings.

India will want to secure a series win and will not want to loose the advantage. All their players have shown good fight and form and they will want to continue this and clinch the series. They have a wonderful opportunity to do so, only needing a draw, so England will have to do all of the running.

Let us hope that the cricket makes the headlines and there are no jelly beans in sight.

India outswing England

India are on the verge of winning the second Test against England and taking a 1-0 lead in the series. How their fortunes have changed since holding out for a draw at Lords with some help from the rain. One could sense then that escaping with a draw would be very significant and would mean a change of fortunes for them.

Winning the toss was crucial as India had the best of the bowling conditions and made good use of them by bowling England out for a total that would always put them on the back foot. Zaheer Khan has been outstanding with his ability to swing the ball both ways and has been the difference between the sides. There has been the return of the traditional swing this summer due to the wet conditions rather than reverse swing which has played a big part in recent years in dry and arid conditions. England did bowl well in the first innings without much luck, with Ryan Sidebottom outstanding again with his line and discipline. On another day things could have been very different, but credit has to go to India who have played well throughout the match. It is ironic that England are traditionally known to make good use of swing in home conditions, but in this case India have outgunned them and come out on top in the swing contest.
The fab four with the exception of Dravid, have answered their critics and made runs this time round. The partnership between Sachin and Saurav was particularly significant in posting a big total for India to secure the advantage. Sachin was troubled by Sidebottom early in his innings and fought his way through passing 11,000 runs in Tests. It was not the kind of dominating innings of that played in his prime but it was gutsy and determined. Saurav played an almost flawless innings and looked to be playing better than ever with good timing and placement. Both players dominated Monty Panesar who leaked runs with no help from the conditions. Both these old pros clearly enjoy batting together and their bond was evident in their partnership. It was a shame that they both failed to reach a century due to poor decisions and their expressions showed their disappointment.

England played well in the second innings after a large first innings deficit with conditions much better suited to batting. The ball was still swinging for India on the fourth morning and the deliveries that accounted for Pietersen and Prior were outstanding. Michael Vaughan played a wonderful innings and was back to his best playing some sublime shots on his way to a century. Kumble was expected to play a big part on the fourth day but Vaughan in particularly played him very well and he did not come into the wickets until the end. The fall of Vaughan's wicket rather unluckily, after taking the new ball heralded the collapse of England's innings and any hope they may have had of saving the Test.

India are poised to win the Test and go one up in the series and there is no threat of rain to spoil their party as it did for England a week ago. India will be pleased with their performance in this match and the way they have fought back to gain the advantage in this series. It has been a complete team performance from them and that should be heartening for them going on to the third and final Test at the Oval.

Patrick Eagar's memorable images

When I think of the memorable images of cricket that have caught my eye over the years, I think of Patrick Eagar. I remember reading cricket books while I was growing up and the pictures that made them special and his is the only name that I can remember.

I was really chuffed therefore to meet Patrick for the first time a few years ago when I was the picture selector for a cricket book, 'Ground Rules - A Celebration of Test Cricket'. I went to meet Patrick to select some of his photo's for inclusion in the book, where the pictures were a key element. I was struck by Partick's kind and generous nature and enthusiasm for his craft. His home is full of pictures as you can imagine, not all of them of cricket.

The unique thing about his pictures is that each picture tells a story and you not only see the image but get a feel of the mood, atmosphere and the setting. I particularly remember the shots of Ian Botham that he took throughout his career, which perfectly conveyed the mood. The ones that stand out are of the infamous 1981 Ashes series where a range of emotions were captured from celebrating a wicket and the swashbuckling batting to the more sombre and reflective moments when he lost the captaincy that year.

I met Patrick recently, not aware as we chatted away that he was approaching his 3ooth Test Match at the first Test between England and India at Lords. He was recounting the early days when official photos of the matches were restricted to a few agencies and it was not until 1972, when newspapers demanded more variety and colour photos and Australia wanted to send its own photographers on tours that it was opened up to newspapers and freelancers. There were of course many unofficial shots taken secretly over fences and wall of grounds.

The lifting of the restrictions paved the way for Patrick to enter the stage and become one of the best photographers in the world. In the early days the images had to be transported by train to tight newspaper deadlines to ensure they got the newspaper offices on time to go to press. They would have to be on a train by early afternoon and any other significant images from the day would be published the day after.This has all changes with the age of digital pictures and Internet connections which has made it very easy to send pictures at the click of a button and arrive instantly.

It is very interesting to hear the many stories of his time clicking away and I am sure I would want to hear them all but Patrick as usual is a busy person and had to shoot off for a Twenty20 match that day between England and West Indies.

I have often wondered what it takes to take a good photo, especially one where you click at the precise fall of a wicket or any other significant incident. I am sure a lot has to do with experience and knowledge, but as I was to find out when I took a photo the other day of Dhoni loosing his wicket at Chelmsford, a lot has to do with luck and being at the right place at the right time. That is beginners luck for sure. I don't think Patrick has anything to worry about just yet.

I look forward to seeing many more classic pictures from the lens of one of the greatest and congratulate him on reaching a significant landmark.

More photos from Lords

I thought I would post a few more pictures from my visit to Lords last Monday as many of you enjoyed them.

It is seems like an age waiting for the next Test in Nottingham and I am counting the days. The monsoon weather continues in England and is disrupting the practice sessions for the teams. They have been forced to take shelter indoors which is not the best preparation. It will be interesting to see what the conditions are like in Nottingham on Friday. The conditions will surely have a part to play with the cooler atmospheric conditions overhead. It will add to the drama and excitment of the match, much as it did at Lords.

Roll on Friday!

India snatch a draw from the jaws of defeat

The first Test between England and India has been a great advertisement for Test cricket. It was an absorbing contest aided by a marvellous wicket which gave assistance to bowlers if they made use of the conditions and helped the batsman that had patience and skill to overcome the testing conditions.

The batsman on both sides were meant to dominate against two relatively young and inexperienced bowling attacks. In reality both sets of bowlers came out with more plaudits as England's third string attack showed discipline and control and bowled well as a unit and the Indian bowlers after an indifferent start came back very strongly. The famed Indian middle order faltered yet again when the pressure was on and failed to deliver the goods. It was left to the impressive Karthik and Dhoni in the second innings to help save the game for India. England can be indebted to Strauss in the first innings and the brilliant Piertersen in the second innings who played a very watchful innings initially and then changed gears latterly to race to a century. His extended celebrations indicated what it meant to him in an innings he described as his best yet.

I went to the match on the final day hoping to catch some of the action despite the gloomy forecast. The game was nicely balanced at the start of the day but two quick wickets meant that the run chase was not on and India would have to battle it out to save the game before the rain came. As it was the rain did not come until late afternoon and India will be thankful to a good partnership between Dhoni and Laxman in the morning. After lunch Laxman departed, opening up an end which England exploited and there was a clatter of wickets. It was a very tense and absorbing session as the clouds started to gather and it became decidedly colder. The tailenders played some silly strokes which did not help their cause and Dhoni did his best to take most of the strike. Dhoni led a charmed life as he tried to play an innings out of character for him and I found it amazing how he played risky attacking shots when he was not looking to score. That could easily brought about his downfall and meant certain defeat for India.

The array of Indian fans were very vocal in the support of their team all day but the tension of the final few overs even silenced them. The umpires met constantly to discuss the gloomy light and Vaughan took off the seamers and brought himself and Panesar in to lengthen proceedings. By this stage I was literally shivering from the cold but could not bear to leave the action. The Indian dressing room also looked very tense next to me as they too were helpless to do anything. Sreesanth survived a very close LBW decision in the final few overs and replays showed that the ball would have clipped the bails. It seemed just a matter of time before bad light and rain stopped the play and all the Indians were praying for rain and England were just hoping that they could snare the last wicket before the rain robbed them. When play was stopped due to bad light and early tea was taken, it was met with big cheers and relief by the Indian players and fans and a look of frustration on English players and fans as they had come so near to winning the match. It did not look like the skies would clear but we all hung around just in case there was yet more to come in this fascinating encounter. As it was, after a momentary lapse, the rain came down and the match was drawn.

India will count themselves lucky to escape with a draw as if play had continued the odds were on England to win the match and on balance they would have deserved the win in a close contest. As it is both teams head to the next Test on level terms and both will take a lot out of this match. India will be hoping that their batsman come into form, as they did on the last tour in a similar position and put England under pressure. They will know that this draw was an escape and will want to cash in on their fortune.The bowlers will have gained a lot and can only perform better with initial nerves out of the way and more familiar with the conditions. It remains to be seen if the middle order, which was in its prime last time around can have a happy swan song.

England will be hoping that their young and impressive bowling attack can do it all again in the next game. They might be faced with a harder task as the conditions may not be as helpful and the batting may be stronger. Their batsman also need to perform better and make bigger scores to put India under pressure.

It is all set up for another fascinating encounter at Trent Bridge, one of my favourite grounds. As I left rainy Lords, I could not remember feeling this cold before and it almost seemed like winter in the wet and gloomy conditions but I was glad that I tasted some of the absorbing atmosphere at this old and traditional ground.

Test in the balance

It was a great day of Test cricket at lords today to set up a last day thriller and there should be a result either way if the rain does not play a big part.

The day was dominated by Kevin Pietersen's century which really ignited after lunch when he stepped up the pace and raced to three figures. The period before lunch was more watchful and as the Indian bowlers were bowling well and hard to score off freely. The partnership with Prior set up a total of 379 which India need to win.

India had a steady start and there did not seem to be any swing which had caused them so many problems in the first innings. They however lost three wickets, amongst them the priced wickets of Tendulkar and Dravid. Karthik reached a fluent fifty and was really good as a partnership was built with Saurav Ganguly. Ganguly showed all his experience as he fought it out in a tense final session.

It is all set up for a cracking finish on the last day and I will be making my way down to Lords tomorrow to see a great days play. I will be praying to the weather gods to keep the rain away at least until the game has finished and then I can do the rain dance. If India reach 390, it will be a record breaking winning total at Lords. They still have the fire power to get there and the first session will be crucial. If the ball starts to swing, England's bowlers may have the final say if they balled the way they did in the first innings.

It is too close to call and the match has reached the close climax that many predicted between these two sides, but whereas many predicted the batsman to dominate, it's the bowlers who have taken all the accolades, with swing playing a major part.

I have just seen the weather forecast and it is predicting heavy rainfall for most of the day. It will be such a shame if the weather is the winner in this tantalising contest.

Penny for your thoughts Saurav

Saurav Ganguly will return to the ground where he made his dream Test debut in 1996. Lords awaits the prince that came and conquered with a century that announced his entrance into the international scene. He had waited four long years to get his opportunity after being banished into the wilderness after being selected on the tour to Australia. He had received a lot of criticism for his aloofness and princely attitude and had been discarded after the tour. This would be the start of a quite extraordinary journey for someone that has evoked a lot sentiment, good and bad throughout his long and illustrious career.

I vividly remember his innings and how impressed I was with his determination and the way he fought through against all the odds. He had that fighting spirit that would see him through for all that awaited him and that fire in his belly to play for his country. I could sense that here was someone that would leave his mark on the game and he has certainly done that. He certainly looked a Test player at that stage but I had not imagined that he would have been so successful in the one day game for which he is more well known now. His dancing down the pitch to a spinner to hit a straight six is a sight to behold on the cricket pitch. It is definitely a rival to his immaculate off side shots that pierce the field so precisely. He went on to form a formidable opening partnership with Sachin Tendulkar that was very successful and it is such a shame that it was broken when he took over the captaincy.

His aggressive captaincy definitely propelled the Indian team to a new level and made them a force to be reckoned with. He faced up to the bullying Aussies and got under their noses like no Indian player before him. He did counter a lot of criticism at times but he was successful and he strived for a winning Indian team with more metal and fighting qualities.

He is now at the autumn of his career after having recently returned from being dumped from the team after his famous tussles with the former coach Greg Chappell. He was down and out and written off by all and sundry, but he refused to bow out and has bravely fought his way back on merit.

He returns to England, a country that he likes, for what is likely to be his last tour and to a place that he has had much success. There must be many thoughts going on in his mind on how the tour will go. He seemed to be in a contemplating mood when I captured some shots of him on the field at Chelmsford. He was very pensive and thoughtful and rehearsing his strokes for his return to Lords in a few days time perhaps.The final chapters of his story are yet to be written on what has been one of the most interesting stories of a person that has evoked more sentiment than almost anyone else. As he reflects on what has been and what is yet to come, one feels that there are a few more chapters left and the prince will only bow out on his own terms.

Warm up to the Indian summer

I was eagerly looking forward to seeing India at Chelmsford in their second warm up match against a very good England Lions team. I was due to go on the last day but nearly went on the second day as the weather forecast was very bad for the last day. The Indians were in trouble early on but the day got better with a great knock from the little master.

Chelmsford has a nice feel about it and as I approached the ground on Sunday, it was good to see quite a few Indian supporters making their way in.I was so absorbed in getting my first glimpse that I accidentally bumped into two guys and then I looked up to see that it was Laxman and Karthick just coming out from the nets. I smiled at them and watched them walk by talking and smiling. It was a good start to the day to see two of my favourites in the team.

The ground was not full but had a good atmosphere and most importantly, it was sunny. The County grounds have a warm and informal atmosphere about them, and it is the perfect setting to get close to the players and the action in a way that it is impossible to do at the international fixtures. I was surprised that there were not more Indian supporters, as the ground is not far from the Indian community in East London, many of whom travel half way round the world to see their team.

Dhoni was at the crease and the crowd were looking forward to an entertaining knock from the hard hitting hero. He did not disappoint as he smashed the ball all round the ground to loud cheers. I was standing with a group of Indian fans and I noticed a camera was on us as we cheered and clapped. I did not realise that an Indian TV company would be broadcasting the game live back to India. Dhoni was finally out and I was lucky enough to capture the falling of his wicket as I was busy snapping away. It did not take long for the Indian innings to end after his departure.

In between the innings the Prasad, the bowling coach came out for a warm up with Ishant Sharma, the tall and lanky Indian bowler. This would be Sharma's big opportunity to impress the selectors, who were sitting on the balcony, along with Borde, their Manager for the tour.There seemed to be a lot of joviality in the Indian camp as everyone was smiling and they seemed to be enjoying themselves, which is a far cry from the glum images in the West Indies a few months ago.

I made my way to a seat in the stand behind the wicket which gave a perfect view of the action. There was a lot of chirpiness amongst the Indians as Sachin directed the show from the slips and he seemed to be enjoying the captaincy as he was very active, with constant field changes. Andrew Strauss was at the crease, and the pressure was on him to perform after his failure in the first innings. He played some good strokes and had a few lucky edges go past the slips but generally impressed with his stroke play as he hit form in time for the first Test at Lords. Shreesanth was a bundle of energy as usual and a few words were exchanged as he tried to ruffle Strauss and it was a sign of things to come in the Tests. Strauss was joined by Owais Shah after the fall of the first wicket and the two continued to play well on this flat batting surface.

During the lunch break I took a tour around the ground and was surprised to bump into Harsha Bhogle, a journalist that I admire immensely. It was good to have a chat with him and learn that he is every bit as nice as he seems on screen. Ravi Shastri had also resumed his commentary duties as he took time out to sit in the sun.

The post lunch session saw the Lions continue to score well and although the Indian balling was accurate, there was no movement or real pace to cause any problems.The seamers all seemed very similar on this flat track and spin will play a big part in the forthcoming Tests to add variation to the attack. Ramesh Pawar made the breakthrough after he gave the ball more air and flighted his delivery. The fielding was disappointing even for a warm up match with good fielders like Yuvraj and Shreesanth making embarrassing blunders. This is an area that they really need to get a lot sharper as it was disappointing to see the lack of effort made.

The clouds loomed and tea was taken early but thankfully there was not a downpour as in other parts of the country and play resumed without any time lost. The Lions declared with twenty overs for the Indians to get some batting practice. All eyes were on Jaffer as he has much to prove but Karthick took most of the balling and played some brilliant shots all round the ground. He looks in excellent form and could have a really good tour if this display was anything to go by. Jaffer played some good shots at the other end and may have cemented his spot for the first Test. It was interesting to see Yuvraj come in instead Laxman at the fall of Karthicks wicket as they may be competing for a batting place in the Test side.

The matched predictably petered out into a draw, where both teams had some good match practice. The Lions succeeded in getting Strauss a well needed knock and Stuart Broad impressed with his five wicket haul which could see him make his debut at Lords on Thursday after Harmison is ruled out through injury. The Indians still have a few decisions to make, Jaffer is likely to open and RP Singh should be in but they have a dilemma on which batsman to drop and it is likely to be between Laxman and Yuvraj. Laxman would get my vote for the first Test as he has proven Test ability compared to Yuvraj who has yet to really establish himself.

It is all set fair for the opening Test on Thursday for the real action to begin and I am counting the days to what should be a very interesting match and series.

Stand up and be counted VVS Laxman

This is a very important tour for VVS Laxman, who has been in and out of the Indian line up for most of his career. He always seems to be the fall guy that misses out. He is undoubtedly a batsman of great class and elegance, and his cuts and glances seem like a work of art on the cricket pitch when in full flow. He even has a walk of a great player. It is a delight to watch an artist at work at a time when aggression and brut force plays such a big role.

He will always be remembered for his majestic innings of 281 against Australia in 2001 in Kolkota, in one of the most remarkable fight backs in Test history. He seems to like the Australians and has a very good record against them, which is not something many batsmen can boast about. He has the game to do well against most opponents in most conditions but has lacked consistency to really be regarded as a great. He is of course in the company of star batsmen in the Indian line up and has not had the opportunity to shine on many occasions, especially when batting at no 6, when the bulk of the runs have either been scored or he is left with the tail enders.

His confidence cannot have been helped when he is constantly left out of the team. It was interesting to note that when faith was shown in him by Saurav Ganguly and he was moved up the order in that 2001 series, he produced the goods. A lot of the game is played in the mind and having any form of fragility in that area can hinder your game. He has handled his omissions well on the surface, apart from being left out of the 2003 World Cup. That really hurt and his form following that was great, showing that he had the fighting qualities to push his way back into the team. His poor fielding has counted against him in the one day arena, whereas in Tests, he is an excellent slip catcher, having taken many outstanding catches.

He has the potential to do really well in England, having played here before and his classical wristy shots will go well with the scenery. He has had a good warm up game against Sussex, scoring 95 on his first knock on the tour. He is likely to be fighting for a place with the dashing Yuvraj Singh, who is showing signs of recovering his good form. All the batsman are looking very good and India will have some difficult decisions to make if that continues throughout the tour.

It is time for the 'very very special' Laxman to stand up and be counted and grace us with his artistry and elegance on the field. We are in a for a treat if he hits form as there are not much better sights than Laxman in full flow.

Sun, sand and cricket

The sun was out this weekend for a change and I managed to escape the city and head towards the south of England to catch some of that sun, sand and sea at sunny Bournemouth. It was my first time there and it must rank as one of the best seaside resorts in the country. There was some beach football being played but no sign of beach cricket.

I managed to catch very brief news of the one day decider between England and the Windies at Trent Bridge and it seemed like that the rejuvenated Windies were putting in another strong display at the tail end of their tour. I could sense at the half way mark that England would loose as they still have a long way to go in this form of the game. The Windies always looked like a good one day side as they seem to be able to concentrate and focus better for the shorter versions of the game. They loose interest for the longer version resulting in inconsistent performances. If they can improve on this, they have the makings of a good side.

The Indian team were playing a warm up match against Sussex, another coastal county not too far away from me. They must be glad to escape the cold and damp of Ireland and Scotland to the slightly warmer climate in England.It looked like the Indians were continuing their good batting form and were getting some valuable match practice ahead of the Test series.

I visited the lovely Rosebowl, home of Hampshire cricket the next day, with the sun continuing to shine. It is a very scenic and impressive ground and has great views of the cricket all round the ground. Hampshire were playing Warwickshire in a County Championship match. As I walked around the ground, I could not miss the the sound of a certain Shane Warne, chirping away,with some of that famous aussie sledging, willing his side on. He has made a big impact on the team and has not lost any of his enthusiasm and energy. He was certainly a very active captain on the field, with constant field and bowling changes and was first out on the field after the breaks eager to resume. Warwickshire put on a solid batting display and were well on their way to a big total at the end of play.

I caught some of the action from the men's final at Wimbledon between Ferderer and Nadal on one of the screens inside, in what proved to be a classic five set final. It was a shame that someone had to loose as both were worthy winners and Federer's reaction at the end showed just how much winning for a straight fifth time meant to him.

I made my way back to the city in the evening, just as the clouds started getting darker and spots of rain started to fall. Well it would not be England without the rain but for once it had not interrupted the sporting action around the country. I could still smell that fresh sea air as I headed back to the metropolis.

Bhangra dancing in the rain

The rain continues to play havoc on the sporting calendar with no end in sight. The much awaited clash between arch rivals India and Pakistan was washed out completely in Glasgow. The small hardy crowd had come eager with their flags, blow horns and dhols to see some action but were left to amuse themselves by playing the dhols and breaking into some bhangra dancing. There was no doubt some good old Asian food at hand to keep their hunger at bay.

These contests are usually full of good humoured banter between the rival fans and there is as much action off the pitch as on it. Many come to watch with families and groups of friends and many friendships are made on the day as stories and food are shared. It is a time that the British Asians can publicly demonstrate support for their team and feel proud of them. Many do not even follow the game but they want to be there to support their fellow countrymen. The noise levels at these matches is always a few decibels higher than any other with the characteristic horns and dhol beats accompanying every scoring stroke. There is over exuberance at times leading to scuffles and unruly behaviour, but fortunately it is in the minority.

I was lucky enough to follow the team around the country in 2002, when they last toured, and it was like a travelling circus with a party atmosphere at every ground.The weather was great and the team were in fine form giving their fans much to cheer about. I had my claim to fame as I seemed to be caught on camera a few times and virtually all my friends and family saw me on television in all parts of the world. I think I was doing a bhangra dance, celebrating a four on one memorable occasion captured on camera. I made many friends along the way and was lucky enough to meet my hero Saurav many times. I had met him in 2000 during his County stint at Lancashire and had been in touch since on his visits to England. He was a thoroughly down to earth person, very generous and considerate and above all had a passion and hunger to play for his country, which is still evident today.

I hope that this forthcoming series is as good as the last one. I think that it could be even better on the field as both teams are hitting form and are well matched. It will probably be the last time we see the greats Sachin, Saurav, Rahul and Anil in England, where they have enjoyed much success. The fans are raring to go to watch the mouth watering encounter and if the rain does stop play on the field, there will no doubt be some bhangra dancing and singing off it.

Play in between the rain breaks

The relentless rainfall in the middle of summer is playing havoc with all the summer sports. It is a case of snatching some play in between the showers.

Wimbledon has been really hit with virtually no play on Saturday, so there is a big backlog building up for this week with back to back matches for many players. It is hard to build momentum with the continual stop starts and some players handle the delays better than others. It seems like the favourites in the both the mens and womens draw, Federrer and Henin respectively, are well on course but one feels that an upset or two is just what is needed, if we manage to get any play that is.

The cricket has fared slightly better with both the Twenty20 matches and ODI between England and West Indies completed. The Twenty20 matches were a great spectacle and lived up to their billing for fast paced entertainment. The Windies showed much better form, winning the first, with England learning some lessons and coming back to win the second one. The attraction for this form of the game is growing and the 50 overs format is going to have to do some major tinkering and not just minor adjustments that were announced by the ICC, if it is not to be overtaken.

It was quite a miracle to get the ODI match at Lords underway after all the heavy rainfall the previous days and that is thanks to the new drainage system at the ground. The conditions were loaded in favour of the bowlers, for a change, with overcast conditions and England posted a reasonable total. England had talked of stepping up the pace and using the power plays but that was not in evidence as they started slowly. I missed most of the match as I went to a wedding and by the time I caught up with the score, whilst driving past the ground, it was nearly all over with another batting collapse by the Windies. That was a shame as I was tempted to sneak in to Lords to watch the final few overs. Just when it looked like the Windies were competing, they showed the fragility that has dogged them for the tour. Englands bowlers have improved greatly, judging by the low numbers in the extra column. It seems that Alan Donald is having a positive effect and could see his short contract extended.

India completed a 2-1 series victory over South Africa, having won the final truncated match in Belfast. This was no mean feat for them in cold conditions with most of the team being struck down by illness at some stage. It is good preparation for them for the real test that awaits them in England. The batsmen seem to be shaping up well with Sachin Tendulkar showing some good form and Yuvraj coming back from injury. The bowlers have also had a useful work out that will serve them well for the England series, where the conditions will be similar. The team seem to be gelling well and playing for each other, in the absence of a coach, with the seniors playing a leading role, which is good to see. They have the big match against rivals Pakistan tomorrow, rain permitting,before departing for England.

It is all set up nicely for the much awaited series between England and India. Let us hope that the monsoon like weather relents and we have a cracking series.

Come on Tim

I have to take a little break from cricket as tennis fever is upon us with the start of Wimbledon this week, accompanied by the rain as usual. It does not dampen enthusiasm or spirits as there is something very special about this tournament, that is a favourite amongst players and fans alike. It definitely holds special interest for me, more than any other grand slam.

The familiar cries of 'Come on Tim' were to be heard again as the only British hope, Tim Henman, was involved in a thriller on centre court yesterday. The match was carried over from the previous evening and was hanging in the balance at two sets all and 5 -5 in the final set against Carlos Moya. It was almost like a penalty shoot out or sudden death as the packed crowd on the roofless centre court watched the gladiatorial battle resume. The loyal crowd have been through all the emotions with Henman over the years and were willing him on in a tense finish.

Henman has not had very good results this year, and there have been calls for him to retire, but Tiger Tim seems to pull out his best at Wimbledon and that was certainly the case this time. He seemed in excellent form as both players played some breathtaking shots. The variety of shots make this tournament so interesting to watch compared to the long rallies on clay courts. One of the best shots was a lob from Henman, timed to perfection over Moya's head. He was very dominant coming to the net and also was serving well, with an ace on his second serve at a crucial stage under pressure to hold his serve.

The match could have gone either way, but Hemnan finally won 13-11 and it was unfortunate that it was a double fault from Moya that decided things in a classic encounter.Henman has tougher challenges ahead as his next match is today and one wonders just how far he can go this time and how much is left in the tank. He will no doubt get a lot of support from the crowds as they queue up all night to get into the ground, with most descending upon Henman hill ready for the somersault of emotions that they will be put through again as the local boy commences his next battle.

Woeful Windies loose to Derbyshire and my meeting with Sir Viv

I was at the County ground in Derbyshire yesterday to witness a shock win by Derbyshire against the wilting Windies. There was rain in the area all morning and during my journey to the ground but as I reached the ground, the clouds cleared as if to announce my arrival and play started on time.

I have never been to the ground before in a County which boasts some of the most beautiful scenery in the country and is home to some grand stately homes that inspired Jane Austen to feature them in her classic books. The ground was smaller than I had imagined but was not full as I had anticpated but the wet weather might have had something to do with that.

The Windies were fielding a strong line up for the match and most expected an easy win against Derbyshire, who are not one of the strongest County teams. Debyshire batted first and made 135 which seemed a below par score and one which the Windies would cruise to. This is also what Sir Viv Richards felt as he was special guest at the ground. I was seated in the next table to Sir Viv, who has been so disappointed by the poor performances by his fellow countrymen. He still has this magical aura about him and one wishes that some of that would rub off on the Windies. Sir Viv recounted some stories of his cricketing career and his beginnings at Somerset with his close friend Sir Ian Botham, to his prolific form in the 1976 series in England which was inspired by 'we will make them grovel' comment by Tony Greig. He predicted at half time that the Windies would beat Derbyshire comfortably and if they did not, they should be sent home.

As I settled down to watch the Windies innings, I could not believe what transpired. The wickets started tumbling right from the start and there was a danger that there would be more wickets than runs on the scoreboard. The body language of the Windies said it all as they trudged off slowly with hardly any eye contact with each other. It was if they were helpless or just did not care, as there was no real effort put into their performance. Their bowling had been quite good but when they were batting it did not seem like a contest as they surrendered far too easily and were all out for 84. Maybe all the rain had dampened their enthusiasm, but everyone is quickly running out of excuses for this very sorry looking outfit.

It was just as well that Sir Viv was not there at the end or he certainly would have been fuming. He exudes pride and passion in all that he does and that certainly came out when he spoke and this is something that is sorely missing from this team at the moment. I managed to have a quick chat a and a photo with the great man.

As I started to make my way out of the ground, I had certainly not expected this result but it was the way that they played which most disappointed me. My first Twenty20 match had not been a fast and furious affair that I had expected, but I had a very interesting time at this quaint ground.

As I left the ground, the clouds seem to gather and lo and behold, the rain came back as if on cue on my departure. It poured down all the way as I joined the rush back to London and reflected on my day and meeting with a legend.