England out to challenge India’s Test supremacy (Preview)

London, July 20 (IANS) India are the No.1 cricketing nation in every respect and England are out to challenge this on the field in a cracker of a four-Test series that gets underway at Lord’s Thursday. It’ll be the 100th Test between the two nations and the 2,000th of the cricket world.

Hype or no hype, the series should produce enthralling cricket between world’s two best teams. India have been the No.1 team for two years now, and they would like to perform worthy of their status.

India have come here straight from 1-0 series win in the Caribbean and they are bolstered by the return of Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir and pace bowling spearhead Zaheer Khan, who all missed the West Indies series.

England have gone through a metamorphosis under captain Andrew Staruss and coach Andy Flower. They are high on form since Ashes triumph last year and firmly believe they have the potential to snatch the No.1 Test ranking.

In the only warm up game against Somerset in which Strauss batted himself into form, India had a difficult time with the bat and ball. They were struggling at 138/8 in the first innings before Suresh Raina’s century saved them the blushes.

With that knock, Raina has more or less elbowed out flamboyant Yuvraj Singh for the No.5 spot.

In the absence of Virender Sehwag, who is expected to join the side for the third Test, opener Abhinav Mukund join Gambhir in an all-left-hand opening combination. Despite his impressive knocks in the West Indies, he needs to tighten his game against the rising ball on pitches which can be dicey.

Gambhir, a prolific scorer in the last few season, is coming back after a shoulder injury. A lot will thus depend on the experienced trio of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman, who possibly are here one last time as players.

Tendulkar has rediscovered the carefree exuberance of his youth in the last one year in all formats. In 15 Tests, he slammed eight centuries, including two double hundreds.

Tendulkar has the small task of reaching his 100th international century and he is equally aware of his poor record at Lord’s, his highest being a mere 37. The air is thick with expectancy that the the maestro will finally make it to the Lord’s honours board with a century at the Mecca of cricket.

Dravid, who scored heavily in the 2002 series but was weighed down by captaincy in the 2007 series that India won 1-0, will be looking to make amends for the missed opportunities on the previous tour.

Laxman is still to savour a century in the English weather. The stylish Hyderabadi has played some remarkable match-winning knocks, including three 50s in the West Indies before coming here.

Watch highlights of Group B Match :Bangladesh v West Indies

The West Indian batsmen had an easy task, they just had to stroll to the wicket and knock off the runs and they did just that. Even before the lights took full effect, the game was done and dusted with. A very dark day in Bangladeshi cricket history and the capacity crowd have been left shell-shocked. A totally inept batting performance and the crowd booed the home side - a rare sight - when you consider how raucous the crowd can be and get behind their side when they are doing well. Total credit must go to Sammy and gang for a stunning team effort. They were spot on from ball one and did not let the game drift after taking quick wickets.

Man Of The Match : Roach for his 3 wicket haul

Watch highlights of Group A Match : New Zealand v Zimbabwe

Comprehensive is the only word that comes to mind when one describes NZ's batting performance. Guptill and Brendon McCullum never looked like getting out and the Zimbabwe bowlers struggled. Price, Utseya and Cremer kept it tight but they did not get the wickets. NZ have been clinical in their performance and they carry a lot of confidence ahead of their next match against Pakistan at Pallekele.

Man Of The Match : Guptill  for his blazing 86

Watch highlights of Group A Match : Canada v Pakistan

Canada have thrown away their best chance to stage an upset win over Pakistanis. Credit to Afridi, the way he has led his bunch of men has been remarkable. Yet again, he led from the front, took his 5th five wicket haul to rattle the Canadian batting. He is also the highest wicket taker in this tournament so far. Surkari and Hansra kept Canada in the hunt but once Afridi started sending out darters, they fell like nine pins. Pakistan, with another massive win, stay at the top of their group table and are one of the favorites to win the Cup that counts.

Man Of The Match : Afridi for his match winning 5-23

Watch highlights of Group B Match :Netherlands v South Africa

It has been a comprehensive victory for the Proteas. The openers got off to a slow start and the pressure mounted. The best partnership of the innings was 40 between Zuiderent and Barresi. However, the South African spinners led by Tahir and Peterson ran through the lower middle order. Netherlands capitulated from 81/3 to being 120 all out. South Africa win by 231 runs and it is the fourth biggest run win in the history of the World Cup. It has been a disappointing display from the Men in Orange and South Africa will be full of confidence ahead of their big match against England.

Man Of The Match : AB de Villiers

What a game this has been, the Bangalore crowd have been treated with some breath-taking cricket. Take a bow, Kevin O'Brien. Contributions from Mooney, Cussack and the rest. The Irish camp are going crazy, boy! Aren't they delighted?

Man Of The Match : Kevin O'Brien

Watch highlights of Group A Match : Sri Lanka v Kenya

Sri Lanka have registered a comprehensive win after the splendid bowling performance by Malinga. Dilshan started off in a frenzy as they got off to the perfect start. Tharanga helped himself to a fifty as SL got home in a canter. Kenya will have a lot to think about in the upcoming games, while Sri Lanka have given their fans a lot to cheer about after the disappointing loss to Pakistan. Malinga, as expected was the match winner and will have a huge role to play for Sri Lanka to progress further.