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.