Invading The Home Of Cricket

Even before the tour to the West Indies 2011 comes to a close, every one has started talking about the galactic clash between India and England. Not because of the history between the two sides and  when I say history I am referring to the English ruling India for 200 odd years, but because of a couple of simple reasons:

• India right now are the top side in world cricket. With #1 test status and the World Cup 2011 in their kitty,  they look un-stoppable.
• England have done well in last few years and for an english fan nothing beats the high of winning Ashes, which they did recently in Aussie land.

On such a platform the series is being hauled as the Ashes killer. English like many western countries have already started playing the mind games. Many former and current english players have already predicted an overpowering show by english team gaining them the REAL (not on papers and un-official ICC) #1 status.

The english fans, players from past and present want the curators to prepare fast and bouncy wickets that would suit english team and would blow away the Indian (hold this tought, i ll get back to this shortly). With a battery of towering fast bowlers who can generate good carry and bounce even on placid pitches, England attack looks formidable. And to talk about the batting line up star studded with Strauss, Cook & Trott (the ugly three) can cause havoc at the top of the order.

And on the other end we have the Indian. A team that is seriously under-strength, lacking the the MEN that made it count in their recent ascent to the top. With such a depleted side, they have shown the character in tough situations. Be it the 3-2 win in ODIs in WI or the test series under way.

With the news of all the Indian players regaining fitness and coming out of their respective injuries, the team looks good, atleast on paper.

1. Sehwag
2. Gambhir
3. Dravid
4. Tendulkar
5. Laxman
6. Raina
7. Dhoni
8. Bhajji
9. Ishant
10. Zaheer
11. Sreesanth

Possible Sqaud Memebers: Yuvraj, Pujara, Kohli, Munaf, Praveen, Mishra, etc.

Coming back to the point of fast and bouncy pitches in England. I sincerely hope english curators prepare the fastest and the bounciest pitches they can. Let us see what Indian batters are made of. It will be a good test for India batters against;

• Mr. Anderson: I always felt that Ajit Agarkar was the most enigmatic bowler, Mr. Anderson defeats him to the pole.
• Broad: Sixer kid with an influential father preventing him from the umpires's wrath.
• Tremlett: Needs to be careful of not intruding a bird's flight trajectory.
• Finn: No comments.

Once Indian batters have been tested by these gentlemen on fast, bouncy and green english surfaces, I would love to see how English stand up to the India pace, or should I say Medium Pace battery.

• Zaheer: A half fit Zak is good enough for all the english batters. English had to play with his head last time around to counter him. Jelly Beans...anyone.
• Ishant: Looks to have got his pace, bounce and rythm back.
• Praveen: Will be a handfull on seaming English pitches. The extra bounce and juice will help him.
• Munaf: The absolute miser. Minimum effort maximum gain.
• Sreesanth: Now what can I say about him. The world knows of his on-field exploits with and without the ball. Should be a asset if he keeps his cool.

                                                        RIP Grave Stones
                                             Blowers Who Got Blown Away.
                                                    2008 - Aussies @ Perth
                                                 2010 - SAffers @ Centurian
                                                 2011 - English @ ?????????

England your are next.