Story npower Tests, Natwest Series, Natwest Challenge

[m_vaughan]

Score Update
At Stumps Day 1,
England 214-8
G. Jones 20*
M. Hoggard 2*
M. Trescothick 55
M. Butcher 54


H. Singh 2/5
A. Agarkar 2/66
I. Pathan 2/79


India have dominated the final session of play on the 1st day, picking up 5 England wickets, and are now in a commanding position in the test match. The first go was Vaughan for 50 after he was given out LBW to Sachin Tendulkar. Flintoff soon joined him the pavilion without troubling the scorers at all. The experienced Thorpe was clean bowled by Harbhajan for 26. Simon Jones and Ashley Giles both were dismissed for ducks. Harbhajan Singh has been the star of the session bagging 2 wickets, while Irfan Pathan also picked up two wickets. Sachin Tendulkar obviously has one wicket in his bag, that of Michael Vaughan. England have Geraint Jones and Matthew Hoggard in, and will want to post a score of 230-240 atleast.

David Gower: What a dramatic change in events we've had as India ripped through the England lower middle and lower order, to take an absolutely commanding position in this test match. What do you have to say about that Nass?

Nasser Hussain: Well, absolutely brilliant bowling by India. Harbhajan who I thought should have been introduced much earlier than he was, does the job for his team. We know England arent the best players of spin, and Harbhajan has taken full advantage of that. Fantastic performance for India in this session. England I think will be stunned by what has happened in the past few hours.

David Gower: Yes, and the fact that three England batsman, or rather four, if you include Thrope, got off to good starts but just couldnt convert them into big ones.

Nasser Hussain: Yeah, we've had batsman doing well to reach the 40s and the 50s, but not really able to capitalise on that. But again, full credit to the Indian bowlers, who have looked a lot more attack-minded as the day has progressed. Hopefully England will be able to do the same, if not better when they begin their bowling.

David Gower: So at the end of the 1st days play here at Lords, England have suffered a late lower middle order and lower order collapse, losing 5 quick wickets, and finishing the 1st days play at 214-8. Do join us tomorrow for Day 2. Till then from all of us here at Sky Sports, its goodbye.[/i]

 

[m_vaughan]

Score Update
12:04 PM Day 2
England 250 all out
S. Harmison 12*
M. Trescothick 55
M. Butcher 54
M. Vaughan 40
G. Jones 36


H. Singh 3/15
I. Pathan 3/81
A. Agarkar 2/66

England manage to reach 250, after some useful contributions towards the end by Hoggard and Harmison, supporting Geraint Jones. Hoggard did very well in his supporting role, scoring 8 runs off 47 balls. Harmison was more aggressive but played his role in supporting the main batsman Geraint Jones. Hoggard became Harbhajan Singh's 3rd victim, while Pathan made Jones his third victim.

David Gower: So is 250 enough for England?

Nasser Hussain: No, 250 is a pretty average score, especially batting first, and even more so due to the fact that England did not lose too many eary wickets, were 180 odd for the loss of three wickets at one stage, but since then, its been pretty much India all the way, though I think England have done reasonably well to reach 250 after being 199-8 at one stage. I think you've got to applaud the effors of Jones, Harmison and Hoggard towards the end of the innings.

David Gower: So what should be England's approach now?

Nasser Hussain: Well, just go out there and attack. England have a strong pace bowling lineup. I think they should attack for the word go. its important they stay focused, and not let the Indian batsman get away, because they do have a strong batting lineup.

David Gower: We'll have to wait and see what happens, and do join us for the Indian 1st Innings, after a very short break.

 

[Blackcaps Rule]

Nice story

 

[m_vaughan]

Paul Allot: Well Michael, you must be disappointed with 250.

Michael Vaughan: Yeah, especially after the start we got. Couple of us got good starts, but then lost our wickets at crucial times. We really looked to set reach 300 atleast at one stage, but a few quick wickets, completely changed the scenario. Good bowling I thought by the Indians.

Paul Allot: What now, all out attack I guess?

Michael Vaughan: Yeah, that will be our plan. We've got the bowlers capable to getting wickets. Harmison and Hoggard could give us a good start by picking 2-3 early wickets, and then we can apply more and more pressure on the Indian batsman.

Paul Allot: I guess you wouldnt want to trail by more than 100 runs, would you?

Michael Vaughan: Well at the moment we will not want to trail by even a single run. But you know we still have our second innings, and really there is still a lot of cricket left in this match. Lets hope we get some early wickets, and get back into the game.

 

[The_gas]

Whats the new patch like that you are using mate?

 

[m_vaughan]

yeah, the patch is very good. its wasnt that easy to bat. you have to play every ball with caution. dunno about the bowling, havent tried it out yet.

 

[m_vaughan]

Score Update
At Lunch Day 2
India 46-1
V. Sehwag 32*
R. Dravid 2*

M. Hoggard 1/19

INDIA TRAIL BY 204 RUNS

India, like England have lost one of its openers early. Yuvraj Singh, who was dropped in the first over by Strauss, was caught by Strauss himself for 11 off the bowling of Matthew Hoggard. A brilliant catch by Strauss at gully. However, the other opener, Virender Sehwag has played some elegant shots, and looks to be in good form. He is joined by the even-dependable Rahul Dravid.

David Gower: So at Lunch on Day 2, we have India on 46-1, having lost Yuvraj for 11, thanks to magnificent catch by Andrew Strauss. But Nasser, England still have a lot do, dont they?

Nasser Hussain: Yeah, definately. They've picked up one wicket, which is good, but is definately not enough. You have Dravid and Sehwag still batting, and Tendulkar, Laxman and Ganguly yet to come. So England really have a lot to do. Sehwag is already starting to look dangerous, and its for England to dismiss him as soon as possible. Also Rahul Dravid is one who can really single-handedly win matches, and England will want to get rid off him as soon as possible.

David Gower: So what do England do then in the post-lunch session

Nasser Hussain: I guess, England should try and vary the pace. Maybe bring in Ashley Giles as well. They will have to gamble, and play a risky game. They might end up conceding runs, but at the moment I think its important for them to get wickets, and the Indian batsman are known for their patience, so really bottling them down will not frustate them. I would still go in with one of four pace bowlers from one end, and Ashley Giles from the other, just to try and vary the pace. Also I think its important for the seam bowlers to trick the batsman with the occassional slower ball.

David Gower: Well, we have an interesting post lunch session in prospect. Join us for it in about 45 mins time. Till then here is another of our "Lords Heroes".

 

[m_vaughan]

Score Update
At Tea Day 2
India 110-2
S. Tendulkar 23*
R. Dravid 14*
V. Sehwag 58

S. Jones 1/14
M. Hoggard 1/23

INDIA TRAIL BY 140 RUNS

Its been a slow but steady progress by India. The dangerous Virender Sehwag is out, after he was caught by Michael Vaughan off the bowling of Simon Jones. Dravid and Tendulkar have played patiently and with a lot of caution, knowing that there is enough time in this test match. Sachin has played a couple of fantastic boundaries, one through the covers, and the other straight down long on.

David Gower: So India have done pretty well to reach 110-2 at Tea on Day 2. Slow but steady?

Nasser Hussain: Yeah, they've played well. Dravid and Sachin have left almost all the deliveries outside off stump. Taking no risk, and they dont need to, because there is enough time left in this test match. But England will be pleased to have the danger man Virender Sehwag back in the pavillion.

David Gower: But England need to pick wickets quickly, dont they?

Nasser Hussain: Yes, they need to pick up some quick wickets. They've been bowling well, and have been pretty attacking in their approach which is a good sign. But the Indian batsman have really played well. Good shot selection, no risk. They have two of their best batsman in the middle. It will be tough for England to dismiss these to batsman, but they've got a good bowling attack and are capable of picking up some quick wickets.

David Gower: Well Yes, England definately are well-equipped in their bowling. Join us in about 15 mins for the final session of play on this 2nd day of this 1st npower test match between England and India at Lords.

 

[The_gas]

Top story there my friend! To be honest i dont read many storys on here, but i always read yours. Great attention to detail and very clear screenshots. My windows paint has ****ed up so im using some ****ty programme which is why mine is so mucky!

I dont always reply cos i dont play the game that often these days but rest assured if im online your story always gets a read

cheers gas!

p.s seen fishbowlman recently?

 

[m_vaughan]

nope, i have no idea where the likes of fishbowlman, tiger, karan_rvd, waugh machine have disappeared. jarryd started his new tour recently.

regarding the screens, why dont you use adobe photoshop or ulead photoimpact?

i think your new tour is great. county cricket is always special (especially if the bears are playing!), and I always think about starting one myself.

 

[m_vaughan]

b] Score Update [/b]
At Stumps Day 2
India 191-2
S. Tendulkar 62*
R. Dravid 53*
V. Sehwag 58

S. Jones 1/26
M. Hoggard 1/34

INDIA TRAIL BY 59 RUNS

India are definately on the driving seat in this first npower test match here at Lords. Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid have now put on 114 runs for the second wicket. They had been playing pretty slowly, but burst into life towards the end of day, playing some fantastic shots. Sachin especially has played some magnificent cover drives and straight drives. India are on top at the end of Day 2. The match is slowly and slowly slipping away from England.

David Gower: So Nass, India are running away with it, arent they?

Nasser Hussain: Yes. A fantastic partnership between Dravid and Tendulkar. They've played with a lot of patience and caution, and have now got their eye perfectly in. England on the other hand have bowled well, but havent been able to pick up wickets, something they urgently need to do tommorrow morning to prevent India take the match out of their reach.

David Gower: Yes, and we do know the potential of Tendulkar and Dravid. England have to dismiss these to batsman as quickly as possible tomorrow morning. Well we are joined by David Lloyd as well, and David, you have to credit to the Indians, because they;ve stuck to the wicket, not tried anything extra-ordinary, and have just slowly and slowly got the runs.

David Lyold: Yeah, definately. Well India is a great side, and there is no doubt about that. They've got a strong strong batting lineup, and 250 was by no means enough against this Indian side. Having said that, I do agree with Nasser, that England have bowled well. But at the end its the runs and the wickets that matter. India have got the runs, and England havent got the wickets they so desperately needed.

Nasser Hussain: Also I think Michael Vaughan should have a quite chat with his players tonight. Ask them to relax and not bother about the match scenario, and try and get all kinds of pressure off the England bowlers, so that they can come and bowl without any kind of tension or pressure tommorrow morning.

David Gower: Well we'll just have to wait and see whether England can prevent India from taking the match out of reach. Michael Vaughan's team are capable to bouncing back from the most difficult situation, and it looks like they will have to do it again if they have any chance of winning this 1st test match against India. Join us tomorrow for Day 3, and till then from all of us here at Sky Sports from Lords, its goodbye.

 

[m_vaughan]

Score update
At Lunch Day 3
India 311-5
S. Ganguly 12*
A. Agarkar 3*
S. Tendulkar 119
V. Sehwag 58
R. Dravid 53


M. Hoggard 2/71

INDIA LEAD BY 61 RUNS

India are in a really good position now. Resuming their overnight score of 191-2, India lost Dravid in the very first over, after the Karnataka batsman was trapped plum leg before wicket. Laxman and Sachin then put up a partnership of 90 runs, during which Sachin reached his century. Laxman was caught off Ashley Giles by Simon Jones for 43, and it was Flintoff who got the crucial wicket of Tendulkar for 119. The good thing for England is that the two men in for India at the moment have just come to crease, which gives Michael Vaughan the option of an attacking field.

David Gower: Well the good thing is that England have dismissed Tendulkar, Dravid and Laxman, all of whom were looking very very dangerous. But still a victory for England seems very distant at the moment.

Nasser Hussain: Well a victory for England is nearly out of the picture at the moment. Not only do they have to bowl out India quickly, but also bat well in their 2nd innings, and post a high enough score to defend. So a win for England seems very unlikely, but I wouldnt say its impossible. You've got to keep trying till the end.

David Gower: And what about Tendulkar's century? He really makes it look so easy doesnt he Nasser?

Nasser Hussain: A fantastic century. He was always on top, and never let the England bowlers take any sort of advantage at any moment. Some magnificent shots, excellent timing, and well deserved hundred. He truly is a genius. A born genius, like Lara and Bradman.

David Gower: Well lets just hope the win is not totally out of England's reach. But they have to get the Indians out as quickly as possible. Join us for the post lunch session LIVE here on Sky Sports 1 in about 45 mins time. Till then yet another episode in our series called "Lords Heroes".

 

[the twin]

it seems that you had better stop playing all these rash shots.

 

[m_vaughan]

Score Update
At Tea Day 3
England 28-1
M. Trescothick 5*
M. Butcher 0*
A. Strauss 22

H. Singh 1/4

India 356 all out
S. Tendulkar 119
V. Sehwag 58
R. Dravid 53

S. Jones 4/39
M. Hoggard 2/71

ENGLAND TRAIL BY 78 RUNS


England bowled out India for 356 in the post lunch session, after being 311-5. Simon Jones proved to be the key figure for England, dismissing Saurav Ganguly, Agarkar, and Harbhajan, apart from dismissing Sehwag earlier in the innings ofcourse. Parthiv Patel was unfortunate to be run out, but the no.10 and no.11 for India, scored some pretty crucial runs at the end, taking the lead past the 100 run mark. Steve Harmison picked up his first wicket of the innings, dismissing Balaji. England in reply have already lost Andrew Strauss, thanks to a fine "doosra" from India's premier offspinner, Harbhajan Singh.

David Gower: Well Nasser, how do you rate the post lunch session?

Nasser Hussain: Well England did well to dismiss India for 356, because with Ganguly, Agarkar and Patel still there, everyone were expecting India to probably reach 380-400. But Simon Jones proved to be England's hero picking up quick wickets, and had it not been for some late hitting from the tailenders, India could have been bowled out for something around 325-330. Those extra 26 runs could prove crucial in this match.

David Gower: Well, we'll have to wait and see whether those 25-30 additional runs will indeed prove costly for England at the end. But Nass, bad start by England, having already lost one wicket, and still 78 odd runs behind.

Nasser Hussain: Yeah, a bad start, and England cant afford anything less than 320 for me, and losing an early wicket will definately not help England. But hopefully the experienced middle order will be able to build some partnerships and ensure that England post a good score.

David Gower: That was Nasser Hussain with his special comments on the test match. As it stands now, England are playing their 2nd Innings, chasing a 1st innings deficit of a 106, and have already lost Andrew Strauss for 22. Join us after this break for the final session of the day.

 

[m_vaughan]