A lot has changed in world cricket since the Indian team’s last trip to London one month ago. They had come to Lord’s for the opening Test of the series as the top-ranked side in the world. They left for Nottingham after a heavy defeat, but with hope that, like so often in the past, the notoriously slow starters would overcome the setback and put up a fight.
As it turned out, it wasn’t to be, and the visitors, trailing 3-0 in the series that saw them conceding the top spot to the hosts, are back to the British capital for the final Test, with the swagger replaced by a desperation to salvage a modicum of pride.
But, as Dhoni & Co. perhaps realise by now, it will be easier said than done. In almost customary fashion, a few fitness issues have cropped up again in addition to the poor form of their players, ahead of the final Test beginning on Thursday at The Oval.
Skipper MS Dhoni lately has started avoiding a firm handshake as he was hit on the fingers while batting during the third Test at Edgbaston. While the wicketkeeper might brave the injury and lead the side at The Oval, pace bowler Praveen Kumar’s recovery, after he was hit flush on the thumb by a James Anderson delivery, will be tougher.
Though the team management haven’t yet sent out a medical update on Praveen, it is learnt that the team physiotherapist is working closely with the pacer to make sure he is match fit. More than the injury, it is the load of bowling 158 overs that seems to be catching up with the most successful Indian bowler on this tour. And if India start without Praveen, the bookies will have to further lower the odds of an England whitewash.
The Oval will be the perfect venue for such a result. Though Lord’s is known as the home of cricket, The Oval too is rich in tradition. This happens to be the ground where England played their first home Test and in case they manage 4-0 here, it will be an emphatic end to the series that saw them becoming the top team in the world. Over the last couple of years, England have recorded significant victories — against South Africa and Australia — at this venue, the results that have played a big role in the team’s ascent.
England’s flattering record at this ground notwithstanding, the pitch has historically helped spinners here. Asian teams have regularly gone with two slow bowlers on this surface, especially in the second part of the summer when the pitch is dry. In the last Test played at his ground, Pakistan’s Saeed Ajmal and England’s Graeme Swann were among the wickets.
But India would be tempted to ask if they have two spinners of Ajmal or Swann’s quality. Amit Mishra had a forgettable game at Edgbaston and it remains to be seen if he can retain his place. His figures of 3/150 meant the other slow bowler in the side — left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha — will be considered by the team management before they finalise the XI.
Anderson doubtful
There could be some relief for India as England are also facing an injury problem, with James Anderson in doubt and Graham Onions called in as his cover.
National selector Geoff Miller was quoted as saying by the England and Wales Cricket Board website: “Unfortunately, Chris Tremlett has failed a fitness test and won’t be available for selection, despite showing strong signs of recovery over the past few days. Chris’s absence in conjunction with what appears to be a minor injury concern with Jimmy Anderson has led to a call-up for Graham Onions as precautionary bowling cover. We are hopeful that Jimmy will overcome this niggle by Thursday but more time is required before a decision on his availability can be made conclusively. Steven Finn is obviously in the squad and he is now joined by Graham who has been in good form for Durham since returning from a back injury at the start of the season.”
While Zaheer Khan got injured on the first day of the series, his counterpart Anderson is doubtful after England have taken a 3-0 lead. And this has played a big role in world cricket’s changing hierarchy between India’s two trips to London.
