Reasonable total for England. India should have a good chance of overhauling it but runs on the board count.
Loving this story atm. Really captures what test cricket is about.
Brilliant effort being put into this, really raising the standard in this forum, kiu man!
India In England India vs England Natwest Test Series : 4th Test Match Played at The Brit Oval
All set for the play to start.....
England team, Indian openers and the two on field umpire came to field to start off the proceedings. Opening over was given to as expected James Anderson. Sehwag and Gambhir both have not really managed to get India off to a good start so far in the series can they get India off to a good start in this innings? Maybe, maybe not.
Strauss took his time in assigning the fielders at the right position. Strauss also had a good long chat with Anderson. They were discussing the tactics mainly because they needed an early Indian wicket. Gambhir took his stance and it was all set for the play to start. :banana
Sachin and Gambhir do some recovery after India loose two early wickets
First bowl of the Anderson over was defended by Gautam Gambhir. On the second bowl, Gambhir came on front foot and smashed Anderson for 4. Defended the 3rd bowl and took double on the 4th bowl. Then defended 2 balls and the over ended. 6 runs of the 1st over. Broad shared the new bowl with Anderson. Sehwag as usual started in his typical way. Smashing Broad?s very first bowl for 4. Sehwag defended the 2nd bowl and lost his wicket of the 3rd bowl. Strauss came running to Broad and said something and went back to his position. Broad started his run up, Sehwag decided to play a premeditated stroke. Sehwag was on back foot, Broad had a hint of it and bowled a full length delivery. Sehwag was on back foot, Sehwag tried to smash the bowl on leg side, but the bowl kept very low and Sehwag was not able to touch it with the bat and England fielders shouted for the lbw. Umpire took just few seconds and gave the decision,out, it was absolute plumb. Sehwag departed just for 4. India lost a crucial early wicket.
Dravid was the next batsman. Dravid started off in his typical way as well. Dravid was just taking singles and defending. Dravid played 17 bowls and then sadly got run out. Dravid played the bowl on off side, shouted for a single. Gambhir was quick but Dravid slipped when he took off for the run but still tried to complete the run. But was not able to and was short of his ground. Umpire didn?t even bother to refer the decision to the 3rd umpire and was given out, run out. Another wicket falling for India. Dravid was very disappointed and frustrated when he was making his way back to the pavilion. Unlucky dismissal for him, he slipped and that was the reason of him getting run out.
Still 1 hour was left before the lunch. Sachin Tendulkar was the next batsman. Sachin, has not yet managed to play a big innings so far in this series. So can this be the innings for him? Gambhir and Sachin had an obvious plan of not loosing any wicket till the lunch. Sachin and Gambhir were not at all taking any risks, they were just taking singles and the score was getting forward. They both continued in this way and then just few minutes were left before the lunch. So, Gambhir decided to play few big strokes. He smashed few boundaries to take off the pressure from India. It was last over before lunch, Broad was bowling. Broad bowled a full length delivery and in his typical way Sachin smashed him on straight, classic drive from Sachin for 4, Sachin?s 1st boundary. Last bowl before the lunch was smashed for 4 as well by Gambhir and India recovered well after loosing 2 early wickets. Now the question is that will Sachin continue batting slowly or he will get back onto his normal innings to build pressure on England? Only time will tell.
Gambhir out, India under a bit pressure
So the day 2, session 2 started. Gambhir, who was playing defensively in the first innings completely changed his batting in the 2nd session and was playing a lot more attacking cricket. Gambhir wanted to make some quick runs so that he can remove pressure from himself and his team. On other hand Sachin was playing a lot for defensively and was looking set to play a big innings. Andrew Strauss did a bowling change as he brought Onions to the bowling attack. Onions first few overs proved to be expensive because Gambhir smashed him for couple of boundaries but he came back and took wicket of Gautam Gambhir. The wicket delivery was a really good one. Onions pitched it on good length, bowl got swing and Gambhir was bowled. Gambhir was looking good for a big innings but maybe he got a bit carried away and lost his wicket. Now, India were in deep deep pressure.
Gambhir's dismissal
Gambhir's dismissal hawk eye view
VVS Laxman was the next batsman. Laxman started off in his typical way. As we all know how classy batsman Laxman is. Laxman just did what he is best at rather than playing risky strokes which we don?t see him often doing and getting out. Laxman was playing stylishly and was smashing bad balls away for boundaries in his style. Broad replaced Anderson from other end and Sachin then didn?t allow Broad to settle down as he smashed Broad for 3 consecutive fours, all 3 of them on off side to reach his fifty. A very well made half century. Another brilliant innings by Sachin Tendulkar. India really needed someone to step forward and play a big innings for them so that India can comeback in the match. Laxman and Sachin were really playing well. After making this fifty can we hope that Sachin is back in form? If he is then it's a very good news for Indian fans. World cup is nearing, just 1 year left and if he is in form then there could not be anything better for Indian cricket fans. :happy
3 consecutive boundaries by Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin raises his bat after reaching to his fifty
Laxman on a role, India in a commendable position
After Sachin reached his fifty he slowed down and it was all about Laxman. Laxman was taking most of the strike and none of the bowlers were able to stop him. Laxman hates to defend bad balls and that?s the best thing about him. He never steps away in smashing the bad balls away for boundaries. That?s why he is one of the better batsman?s around these days in the international cricket. He was supporting Sachin very well. Sachin was playing in the manner he wanted. Sachin, has not been in good form in the series so he really needs a big innings to get back in form and for that he needs time. Laxman played some glorious strokes and quickly reached to his fifty.. Excellent innings under pressure? When Laxman came to the pitch India was in pressure but he supported Sachin very well and brought India back in the match. Soon, umpires decided to end 2nd session and take a break for tea.
Sachin has not changed his batting yet. He is playing defensively still as he was playing in 1st session. But Laxman is playing his usual innings. Sachin and Laxman have shared a partnership of exactly 100 runs. This partnership has not only made sure that India come out of pressure but also that now India can think about a big 1st innings total. We should not forget that Dhoni and Kohli are still left to bat. So, India can still make a big 1st innings total. Not to mention Sachin is still there. It would be interesting to see how India plays in 3rd session.
Laxman out, but Sachin still there at the crease
Indian batsman, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman with England team and two on field umpires came to the field to start the match. Just after 5 minutes of tea break, Anderson was bowling, the bowl was short and Sachin tried to smash it on off side but the ball went straight to the fielder at gully?. But the catch was dropped?. The fielder was Collingwood. How often do we see Collingwood dropping a catch, very less isn?t it? The wicket could have well helped England to have a good first innings lead. But now Sachin was much more aware and was not taking any sort of risk. Although Sachin got a lucky escape but that wasn?t the case with Laxman. Laxman departed just after few overs. Broad was bowling; Laxman was trying to be attacking, he wanted to smash the bowl on straight but completely missed the bowl and got bowled.
Dhoni was the next batsman? Dhoni started his innings defensively as he normally does. Sachin on other hand was playing sensibly as well?. Sachin went to 70s and started to be a bit attacking. Swann and Anderson were bowling and Sachin decided to be a bit attacking. Attacking does not reflect to just hitting boundaries, Sachin was hitting boundaries as well as he was taking singles and doubles. This was making sure that there were less dot balls. Dhoni too started to be a bit attacking and a partnership started building. Which was not only making sure that the pressure goes back to the England side but also that Sachin can think about making a century with less pressure.
End of day 2, Sachin hero of the day..... :happy :hpraise
Sachin and Dhoni both were not changing there tactics and continued playing attacking cricket. Strauss was desperate for a wicket so he replaced Swann with Pietersen because Swann bowled approximately 14 overs and was proving to be expensive and was not able to take a wicket as well. Pietersen was brought into the bowling attack and even he was proving to be expensive. Sachin didn?t allow him to settle down and smashed him for some boundaries. Dhoni slowed down a bit but he was rotating the strike well. Sachin went to 90s and the Indian fans in the crowd went silent because they wanted their favorite player to make a century. Sachin was taking no risk and was rotating the strike.
It was getting very close to the end of day 2 play. It was the last over before the end of day 2 play. Anderson was bowling. Sachin was on 92. Dhoni on the very first bowl rotated the strike and gave Sachin strike. 2nd bowl of the over by Anderson was a good length bowl; Sachin went on back foot and smashed it for 4. Sachin went to 96. Next bowl was a short bowl; Sachin went on back foot and smashed it for 6 this time. 46th test century for Sachin Tendulkar?.. :happy Great innings under pressure from Sachin Tendulkar, little master! Sachin Tendulkar defended the next 2 balls and then took singles of the last bowl of the over and day 2 ended?
Good day for both the teams. England managed to take 4 Indian wickets and Sachin played a brilliant knock which made sure that India gets back in the match. It would be interesting to see how both the teams play on day 3. Will Dhoni and Sachin continue playing well or will England come back in the match with taking some Indian wickets? Only time will tell?.
Some quick wickets, but good recovery from Dhoni and Harbhajan
So, day 3 started. Indian fans were hoping to see their favorite player Sachin continue the way he was batting. But sadly he didn?t manage to do anything special on day 3 and departed for 104. It was the 2nd over of the day. Strauss decided to give ball to Swann (surprisingly). Sachin had trouble playing his first 3 balls of the over and on the 4th bowl he got out. Indian fans in the crowd were really disappointed but no one was able to stop themselves in giving Sachin a standing ovation. A great innings from the little master under pressure!
Sachin Tendulkars dismissal : original delivery, if the ball would have not spin
Next batsmen was Virat Kohli. Kohli smashed 2 boundaries (8 runs) off 11 balls and then lost his wicket.
It seemed that Indian team will soon get all out. But Harbhajan Singh (Bhajji) had some other ideas. Harbhajan completely changed his batting. We often see him being attacking and trying to smash every other delivery for boundary but in this innings he played a lot more sensibly. Dhoni and Harbhajan were running well between the wickets to get singles, doubles and very few triples. Dhoni soon reached his fifty and continues playing well with the same tactics. Dhoni continues taking quick singles, so that strike keeps rotating.
Not much time was left for lunch on day 3. It seemed that now Harbhajan will play big stroke and will loose gave away his wicket. But he didn?t do that. He played sensibly and smashed just few boundaries. MS Dhoni and Harbhajan made sure that India don?t loose any further wickets till lunch and finally umpires decided to take lunch. A good recovery from Indian team! After loosing Sachin and Kohli early in the session, Dhoni and Harbhajan made a good recovery. It would be interesting to see how these two batsmen play after lunch.
IND : 352/6 MS Dhoni : 79(160)
Harbhajan Singh : 35(81)
Last Wicket : V.Kohli 8(11)
There is a competition taking place which is guess MOTM and the team which is going to win the match. But the competition is closed now, so there is a new competition taking place just for the pc members. You just need to guess how many runs will MS Dhoni make he is currently on 79. So how many runs will he end up scoring? Here are your options along with the question again
How many runs will MS Dhoni make in India's 1st innings
A. 79
B. 79 to 89
C. 89 to 99
D. 100+
Just guess the correct answer from the above options and the member/members who will guess the correct answer will win 300k vCash price.
So, the 2nd session of day 3 started after lunch. 2 umpires with England team and 2 Indian batsmen made their way to the middle to start the play after lunch. Strauss was desperate for a wicket. Harbhajan was just not getting out before lunch and it was getting frustrating for the England team. They knew that just one mistake from Harbhajan can cost him his wicket. Strauss, Pietersen and Collingwood had a short chat before the play started to maybe decide whom should be the 2 bowlers bowling after lunch. Surprisingly, Collingwood and Pietersen themselves decided to bowl. Strauss had no other option except to say yes because none of his other bowlers were taking wickets.
Dhoni and Harbhajan had a small chat as well. The chat could well be about how they should play after tea. As soon as they completed their chat! Umpires decided to start the play after tea. Collingwood was the bowler bowling?
So, the 2nd session of day 3 started after lunch. 2 umpires with England team and 2 Indian batsmen made their way to the middle to start the play after lunch. Strauss was desperate for a wicket. Harbhajan was just not getting out before lunch and it was getting frustrating for the England team. They knew that just one mistake from Harbhajan can cost him his wicket. Strauss, Pietersen and Collingwood had a short chat before the play started to maybe decide whom should be the 2 bowlers bowling after lunch. Surprisingly, Collingwood and Pietersen themselves decided to bowl. Strauss had no other option except to say yes because none of his other bowlers were taking wickets.
Dhoni and Harbhajan had a small chat as well. The chat could well be about how they should play after tea. As soon as they completed their chat! Umpires decided to start the play after tea. Collingwood was the bowler bowling?
England back in the match, Indian team all out for 296!!!
Harbhajan was having trouble playing Collingwood. Collingwood was swinging the ball both ways which was not allowing Harbhajan to free his arms for big shorts. Harbhajan tried to take singles but the fielding was just perfect to disallow singles. Harbhajan was not able to stay for a while at the pitch after lunch as he was out for 42. Collingwood was bowling; Collingwood bowled a full length delivery. There was a little gap between gully and the point fielder. Harbhajan tried to smash the ball through the fielder but ended up in smashing the ball straight to gully fielder, Ravi Bopara. Harbhajan was very disappointed because a partnership was building but he lost his wicket.
After Harbhajan got out Dhoni decided to be attacking. He knew that now Indian team can be any time all out so it?s better he be a bit attacking and smash some crucial runs for India. Zaheer smashed his very first bowl for boundary but was not able to stay at the pitch for long time as he got out for 4. Ishant Sharma though did well to stay at the pitch for a short time. In this crucial time, Dhoni got chance to play some attacking shots and inch closer to his century. He was on 91 and Collingwood was bowling. Collingwood tried to bowl a full length delivery on off side but Dhoni was on front foot and converted the ball into a full toss and smashed it on off side and it was a six. He went to 97. Collingwood bowled the same sort of delivery again, but this time Dhoni was on front foot but again smashed the ball on straight and reached to his well made century. :happy
Dhoni raises his bat after reaching to his century
Dhoni was not able to stay at the pitch for long time after his century as he got out stumped for 104. Pietersen was bowling; Dhoni continues his strategy of being attacking but misjudged the ball and got out stumped. Ojha was not able to stay the pitch for long time either and India got all out for 396. So, that means India get lead of 21 runs. It would be interesting to see how England plays in their 2nd innings.
I don't actually think that. It's not about a game it's about your presentation. I am putting the same efforts I was putting with AC'09. It's the way readers look at it. I was previously and still am putting my best efforts to this story.
I don't actually think that. It's not about a game it's about your presentation. I am putting the same efforts I was putting with AC'09. It's the way readers look at it. I was previously and still am putting my best efforts to this story.
India In England India vs England Npower Test Series : 3rd Test Match Pitch,Weather Report and Toss Live From Chester-Le-Street
Gambhir out, India under a bit pressure
So the day 2, session 2 started. Gambhir, who was playing defensively in the first innings completely changed his batting in the 2nd session and was playing a lot more attacking cricket. Gambhir wanted to make some quick runs so that he can remove pressure from himself and his team. On other hand Sachin was playing a lot for defensively and was looking set to play a big innings. Andrew Strauss did a bowling change as he brought Onions to the bowling attack. Onions first few overs proved to be expensive because Gambhir smashed him for couple of boundaries but he came back and took wicket of Gautam Gambhir. The wicket delivery was a really good one. Onions pitched it on good length, bowl got swing and Gambhir was bowled. Gambhir was looking good for a big innings but maybe he got a bit carried away and lost his wicket. Now, India were in deep deep pressure.
Gambhir's dismissal
Gambhir's dismissal hawk eye view
VVS Laxman was the next batsman. Laxman started off in his typical way. As we all know how classy batsman Laxman is. Laxman just did what he is best at rather than playing risky strokes which we don?t see him often doing and getting out. Laxman was playing stylishly and was smashing bad balls away for boundaries in his style. Broad replaced Anderson from other end and Sachin then didn?t allow Broad to settle down as he smashed Broad for 3 consecutive fours, all 3 of them on off side to reach his fifty. A very well made half century. Another brilliant innings by Sachin Tendulkar. India really needed someone to step forward and play a big innings for them so that India can comeback in the match. Laxman and Sachin were really playing well. After making this fifty can we hope that Sachin is back in form? If he is then it's a very good news for Indian fans. World cup is nearing, just 1 year left and if he is in form then there could not be anything better for Indian cricket fans. :happy
3 consecutive boundaries by Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin raises his bat after reaching to his fifty
Laxman on a role, India in a commendable position
After Sachin reached his fifty he slowed down and it was all about Laxman. Laxman was taking most of the strike and none of the bowlers were able to stop him. Laxman hates to defend bad balls and that?s the best thing about him. He never steps away in smashing the bad balls away for boundaries. That?s why he is one of the better batsman?s around these days in the international cricket. He was supporting Sachin very well. Sachin was playing in the manner he wanted. Sachin, has not been in good form in the series so he really needs a big innings to get back in form and for that he needs time. Laxman played some glorious strokes and quickly reached to his fifty.. Excellent innings under pressure? When Laxman came to the pitch India was in pressure but he supported Sachin very well and brought India back in the match. Soon, umpires decided to end 2nd session and take a break for tea.
Sachin has not changed his batting yet. He is playing defensively still as he was playing in 1st session. But Laxman is playing his usual innings. Sachin and Laxman have shared a partnership of exactly 100 runs. This partnership has not only made sure that India come out of pressure but also that now India can think about a big 1st innings total. We should not forget that Dhoni and Kohli are still left to bat. So, India can still make a big 1st innings total. Not to mention Sachin is still there. It would be interesting to see how India plays in 3rd session.
IND : 165 : 3 after 55 overs S.Tendulkar : 60(140)
VVS. Laxman : 51(103)
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:banana
Strauss had no other option except to say yes because none of his other bowlers were taking wickets. 
