1st Test Preview
England and India gear up for the first test
Another summer of International cricket kicks off live here on Sky Sports this thursday, as England host India in the first of three npower test matches, at the home of cricket, Lord's.
England's form has suffered a lot since that 2-1 win over rivals Australia in the Ashes of 2005. And although they still are ranked second in the world, England will have to regain their prime form against a very strong Indian side. The good news for them is that Simon Jones, Andrew Flintoff and Michael Vaughan, all of whom were out due to injury, are back for this series. Infact the only person missing from the Ashes winning team is left arm spinner Ashley Giles who still hasnt recovered from his hip injury. His replacement, Monty Panesar, it must be said though has done pretty well in his absence.
Returning England captain, Michael Vaughan has high expectations of his side, and believes that they can regain their touch by beating India in this test series.
"India are a quality side, and have some great players. However I am confident, with the team that we have, we are more than capable of winning this test series." said Vaughan.
"Our record at home is good, and we havent lost a test series here since 2001. And even though I do not bother so much about the record, one thing that I wish to continue is win test matches, and then test series."
England batsman Kevin Pietersen is also confident about England's chances.
"We were on a roll during the Ashes, playing with a lot of passion and determination. However we dint do particularly well since then, even though the drawn test series against India in India was one of the best results ever.
But now we have a full strength squad, and I dont see any reason why I cant reproduce our old form. Besides the support of the home crowd will only help us more." said Pietersen.
Over in the Indian camp, coach Greg Chappell was furious with his team's performance against England A, a match that they lost by ten wickets.
"If we are to achieve success in this tour, then our batsmen will have take a lot of responsibility in their hands. To collapse three times in four innings against club teams and A teams is simply not acceptable." said Chappell.
"However there is no point discussing about that now, and its important that we work on our mistakes and shortcomings, and do well in the next game." added Chappell.
Veteran Indian leg spinner Anil Kumble is ready and confident that India will put in a much better performance against England.
"Its good to have these tour games, as because by the time we reach the main test matches, we already know about our strenghts and weaknessess, as well as the conditions and the pitches. The experience that the lads have gained in the three matches, will help them a lot." said Kumble.
Anil Kumble is seen as a key-member in this Indian side, as his leg spin can cause a lot of problems to the England batsmen. He was India's best bowler during England's tour of India in March 2006.
"I think they are not very comfortable against spin, and that is something that myself and Harbhajan will want to exploit. We have seen the tapes of Shane Warne during the last Ashes here, which has helped us in getting some good ideas about the English batsmen's weaknessess." added the leg spinner.
India have happy memories of the venue Lord's, as this is where they won that cracking Natwest Series final in 2002, chasing a mammoth 326. Although they did lose the test match that followed.
Two players who pioneered that historic win, were Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif, now two established members of the Indian side.
Yuvraj still remembers that day and hails it as one of the best in his life.
"To win that game after having been down and out at one stage was a fantastic achievement on our part. It is always a great feeling to win a match for your country."
Mohammad Kaif on the other hand believes there is no point remembering old games, and want his team to focus on what lies ahead.
"That win was in 2002, and although it was a big moment for Indian cricket, it has nothing to do with this current tour. The England side has changed since then, and have gone on to beat the mighty Australians. We will have to play better than ever to beat this England side."
The venue:
Lord's Cricket Ground, St John's Wood, London NW8 8QN. (Phone: 020-7286-8011)
Also or formerly known as Lord's Cricket Ground
Established 1814
Named after Thomas Lord
Capacity 30000
Floodlights No
End names Pavilion End, Nursery End
Home team(s) Marylebone Cricket Club, Middlesex
Other sports Lacrosse, Hockey
Curator Mick Hunt
Despite a major rebuilding programme in recent years, Lord's remains a cricket ground as opposed to the largely impersonal stadiums many other leading venues which have become. Playing in a Test at Lord's, still widely regarded as the home of cricket, remains to many cricketers the pinnacle of a career.
The third of Thomas Lord's grounds was opened in 1814 and soon became the major venue as cricket became the world's leading sport in the 19th century. While cricket has been overtaken by other international events, and the game itself has become overtly commercial, Lord's has retained its place as the spiritual home.
The ground is privately owned by the Marylebone Cricket Club (membership 18,000), is the home to the ECB and, from 1909 to 2005, the ICC.
The dominant building is the terracotta-coloured pavilion, built in 1890 and still one of world sport's most recognisable structures. Going round the ground in a clockwise direction, next to the pavilion is the Warner Stand, opened in 1958 and named after the eminent player and administrator Sir Pelham "Plum" Warner.
The main grandstand was built in 1997 and replaced the architecturally unique structure designed by Sir Herbert Baker which was opened in time for the 1926 Ashes Test. Baker presented MCC with Father Time, the weathervane which topped his creation until it was moved to the other side of the ground in 1996.
The far end - the Nursery - is enclosed by the Compton and Edrich Stands, a pair of low-level two-tier stands built in 1990 which are remarkably similar to those they replaced (which were known as the Free Seats on account of them being available to those who had paid the basic ground admission - entry to other areas required extra payment). Legend has it that Gubby Allen, MCC's long-time self-appointed guardian, steadfastly refused to allow any larger structure as it would have blocked the view of the Nursery and the tree-lined park on the other side of the Wellington Road.
The Nursery itself is named after Henderson's agricultural nursery which was acquired in 1887 (not, as widely believed, because it is home to the MCC Young Cricketers, hence the nursery for the game's next generation). It houses a second pitch which is used for end-of-season Cross Arrows matches as well as the women's Varsity match. The award-winning Mound Stand, was opened in 1987. Its predecessor , constructed in 1898, was on the site of the old tennis courts and at one time contained a bakery with a small underground railway to take produce to various points of sale.
The Tavern (1967) is the least distinguished of the stands and typifies the bland functionality of the 1960s. Until the late 1980s spectators could stand on the concourse in front of the stand and watch proceedings, but increasing rowdyism ended that. The previous Tavern, an ivy-clad building, was much loved by patrons.
The final stand before returning the the pavilion is the Allen Stand (formerly the Q Stand), a rather diminutive in-fill which serves as a pavilion overflow on big-match days and Middlesex's club room at other times.
Ground Records:
Highest Scorer: 333 Graham Gooch, England vs India, 1990
Best Bowling Figures: 16-137 RAL Massie, Australia vs England, 1972
Most Runs Scored: 2015 @ 53.02 Graham Gooch, England.
Most Wickets Taken: 69 @ 24.53 Ian Botham, England.
Highest Team Score: 729-6 declared, Australia vs England, 1930
England vs India - Head to Head
So stay tuned for the all the action, only on Sky Sports!
nice presentation and detailed analysis and stats 
