India face uphill task chasing 458 to beat England

LONDON: Rahul Dravid and Venkatsai Laxman held firm as India eyed a record-breaking chase in the first Test after Matt Prior's unbeaten century had swung the match back England's way at Lord's on Sunday.

India, at the close of the fourth day, were 80 for one in their second innings. They needed a further 378 runs in a minimum of 98 overs on Monday's final day to reach their victory target of 458 -- a run-rate of 3.85 an over.This is the 2,000th Test of all-time and no side has ever scored more in the fourth innings to win such a match than the West Indies' 418 for seven against Australia in Antigua in 2002/03.Dravid, who made an unbeaten century in India's first innings, was 34 not out, having opened in place of Gautam Gambhir who was injured fielding at short leg earlier in the day, and Laxman 32 not out at stumps.The two experienced batsmen's stand was so far worth 61.It didn't look as if India would have to make fourth innings history when Prior came in with England having collapsed to 62 for five.But the wicketkeeper stuck with his natural game and made 103 not out off 120 balls, including a six and five fours.It was Prior's sixth century in 44 Tests and second in as many at Lord's following his 126 against Sri Lanka last month.Stuart Broad, who'd led England's attack with four for 37 in India's first innings, gave Prior excellent support in an unbroken seventh-wicket stand of 162 at nearly a run-a-ball as India's depleted attack toiled on a sunny day.Broad, who bats left-handed but bowls right, demonstrated his all-round ability with a fluent 74 not out off 90 balls including nine fours.Prior pulled Suresh Raina for six to go into the 90s before a cover-driven four off the part-time spinner took him to his third Test century at Lord's -- he also made 126 not out at the ground on debut against the West Indies in 2007.As soon as Prior got to his century, England captain Andrew Strauss declared on 269 for six and with 30 overs left in the day's play.Broad's joy continued when he struck third ball to bowl Abhinav Mukund for 12, the left-hander playing on to him for the second time in the match.India were again down to just three frontline bowlers as left-arm quick Zaheer Khan remained sidelined with a hamstring strain.Fellow seamer Ishant Sharma still rocked England with three wickets for one run in 16 balls before lunch on his way to four for 59 in 22 overs.Kevin Pietersen had made a superb 202 not out in England's first innings 474 for eight declared.But on Sunday he was out for one when he feathered a steepling Sharma delivery to India captain and wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.Five balls later Ian Bell fell in similar fashion for nought

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Sonakshi wishes Tendulkar for England test series

MUMBAI: Indian film star Sonakshi Sinha, while inaugurating a spa in Mumbai on Saturday, extended her best wishes to iconic cricketer Sachin Tendulkar for the ongoing test series against England.
Sachin Tendulkar has always been one of Sinha's favourite cricketers.
Talking about her upcoming film with Bollywood actor Ajay Devgan, the Dabangg beauty said she signed the film because she liked the script and was keen on working with the star.

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Prior rescues England after top-order batsmen fail

LONDON: Matt Prior's unbeaten fifty revived England's second innings after India fast bowler Ishant Sharma's inspired spell had thrown the first Test at Lord's wide open here on Sunday. England were 174 for six at tea on the fourth day, a lead of 362 runs, having collapsed to 62 for five when Prior came to the crease. But Prior was 55 not out at the interval with Stuart Broad, 36 not out, offering good support in a seventh-wicket partnership so far worth 67.India were reduced to just three frontline bowlers once again Sunday as left-arm quick Zaheer Khan remained off the field with the hamstring strain that had sidelined him for most of this match.Sharma, at tea, had taken four wickets for 41 runs in 18 overs -- but only one of those had come after lunch. No team has ever made more in the fourth innings to win a Test at Lord's than the 344 for one posted by the West Indies against England in 1984.England resumed Sunday on five without loss, a lead of 193 runs. But it was not long before the 2,000th Test of all-time was being turned on its head.Opener Alastair Cook took 27 balls for one run before he was caught behind by India captain and wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni off Praveen Kumar, who had taken a Test-best five for 106 in England's first innings.But the real slump started when England captain Andrew Strauss, trying to break the shackles, was lbw for 32 to off-spinner Harbhajan Singh after missing a sweep. His exit left England 54 for two and that soon became 55 for four thanks to Sharma's double-wicket maiden. Kevin Pietersen had made a superb 202 not out in England's first innings 474 for eight declared. But in ideal sunny batting conditions, the advancing Pietersen was undone by a steepling delivery from fast bowler Sharma he could only nick through to Dhoni and, five balls later, Ian Bell went in similar fashion for nought.Sharma then bowling Jonathan Trott for 22 with a good length ball that clipped off stump. Eoin Morgan, five not out at lunch, became Sharma's fourth victim when, on 19, he was late on a pull and Gautam Gambhir, diving forward at mid-wicket, held a low catch.Morgan stood his ground but with replays confirming he was out, it was the end of a stand with Prior worth 45 that had taken England to 107 for six. Prior's well-timed cover-drive for four off Sharma, however, extended England's lead beyond 300 and he went on to complete a 78-ball fifty.India, who spent all of Sunday's first two sessions without star batsman Sachin Tendulkar because of a viral infection, suffered another setback when Prior's pull off Harbhajan struck Gambhir, turning his back at short leg, on the elbow and forced the opening batsman off the field.

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England collapsed to 72-5 after taking 188-run 1st innings lead

LONDON: Ishant Sharma took three wickets, including two in one over, to give India hope of an improbable win against England in the first Test at Lord's here on Sunday.England, at lunch on the fourth day, had collapsed to 72 for five in their second innings 260 runs ahead after Sharma had taken three wickets for one runs in 16 balls on his way to a return of three for 15 in 13 overs.And with the highest fourth innings total to win a Test at Lord's, the 344 for one made by West Indies in 1984, England's lead was far from impregnable.England, five without loss overnight, found runs hard to come by early Sunday even though India were again missing fast bowler Zaheer Khan, off the field with the hamstring injury that had sidelined him for most of this match.Opener Alastair Cook took 27 balls for one run before he was caught behind by India captain and wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni off Praveen Kumar, who had taken a Test-best five for 106 in England's first innings.But the real slump started when England captain Andrew Strauss, trying to break the shackles, was lbw for 32 to off-spinner Harbhajan Singh after missing a sweep.His exit left England 54 for two and that soon became 55 for four thanks to Sharma's double-wicket maiden.Kevin Pietersen had made a superb 202 not out in England's first innings 474 for eight declared.But in ideal sunny batting conditions, the advancing Pietersen was undone by a steepling delivery from fast bowler Sharma he could only nick through to Dhoni and, five balls later, Ian Bell went in similar fashion for nought.Sharma wasn't finished, however, bowling Jonathan Trott for 22 with a good length ball that clipped off stump. Eoin Morgan and Matt Prior were both five not out at lunch as India, who will cede top spot in the ICC's Test Championship rankings to England if they lose this four-match series by two Tests, made clear their determination to stay number one.India suffered a setback before play began when Sachin Tendulkar was prevented from taking the field with a viral infection, a day after his latest bid to score his 100th international hundred ended with him being dismissed for just 34.However, India avoided the follow-on Saturday thanks to Rahul Dravid's unbeaten 103 his first Test hundred at Lord's coming 15 years after he scored 95 at the ground on his Test debut.His innings also took Dravid past Australia's Ricky Ponting and into second place behind Tendulkar in the all-time list of Test run-scorers

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Tendulkar off field with viral infection

LONDON: India great Sachin Tendulkar was off the field at the start of the fourth day's play in the first Test against England at Lord's here on Sunday with a viral infection.An India statement issued Sunday said: "Mr Sachin Tendulkar has a viral infection and is resting under medical advice and would take the field later in the day after further medical assessment."His absence meant India were missing two key players Sunday with strike bowler Zaheer Khan also off the field because of the hamstring strain that had sidelined him for most of England's first innings. Tendulkar, one of cricket's greatest batsmen, was out for 34 on Saturday as his latest bid to score his 100th international hundred ended in disappointment as England maintained their grip on the opening match of a four-Test series.The 38-year-old had played some trademark classic shots before he was caught at second slip by Graeme Swann off Stuart Broad, who led England's attack with four wickets for 37 runs.India were bowled out for 286, featuring Rahul Dravid's unbeaten 103, in reply to England's first innings 474 for eight declared a deficit of 188.England resumed on five without loss in their second innings -- an overall lead of 193 runs.

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India slump to 193-5 against England

LONDON: Sachin Tendulkar failed to score his 100th international hundred at Lord's here on Saturday and his exit sparked an India slump as England seized control of the first Test.India, at tea on the third day, were 193 for five in reply to England's first innings 474 for eight declared a deficit of 281 runs and still 82 shy of avoiding the follow-on.Stuart Broad led England's attack with three for 28 in 14 overs, removing Tendulkar for 34 after dismissing India left-handed openers Gautam Gambhir and Abhinav Mukund before lunch.Rahul Dravid was 59 not out at tea, with India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni unbeaten on four.England, who will replace India at the top of the ICC's Test Championship table if they win this four-match series by two Tests, struggled as Dravid and Tendulkar, India's two most experienced batsmen, compiled a third-wicket stand of 81.But from 158 for two, India lost three wickets for 25 runs.The 38-year-old Tendulkar was given the unusual honour of a standing ovation by a capacity 28,500 crowd as he walked out to bat in what could be his last Test at Lord's, with India 77 for two.He had been rested from India's recent tour of the West Indies and spent much of the intervening time practising at Lord's, where his top score in seven previous Test innings was a mere 37. Tendulkar's first boundary, a backfoot puched cover-drive off fast bowler Chris Tremlett, was a classic. This was the 2,000th Test and the 100th between England and India and many fans had come hoping to witness a 'fairytale' century from Tendulkar.But it was not to be when a 58-ball innings featuring six fours ended when Tendulkar could only edge a good length ball from Broad low to Graeme Swann at second slip.Broad might have dismissed all the trio of Tendulkar, Dravid and Venkatsai Laxman -- who have 99 Test hundreds between them but for dropped catches.Laxman was on nought when England captain Andrew Strauss put down a sitter at first slip and the same over saw Swann, diving to his right, fail to hold a much more difficult catch with Dravid then on 42. Dravid went on to complete a 98-ball fifty featuring 10 fours.But Laxman, fortunately for England, fell for 10 when he timed a flick off Tremlett so well that the ball flew straight to Jonathan Trott at long leg.And 182 for four became 183 for five when Suresh Raina was lbw for nought to off-spinner Graeme Swann.Indian objections mean there are no reviews of lbw decisions this series but even a replay might not have saved Raina. Kevin Pietersen's superb 202 not out was the cornerstone of England's total after they lost the toss, with India medium-pacer Praveen Kumar taking a Test-best five for 106.

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Tendulkar fails to make ton of tons in 2000th Test

LONDON: Sachin Tendulkar's latest bid to become the first batsman to score 100 international hundreds ended in failure when he was dismissed for 34 in the first Test against England at Lord's here on Saturday.The 38-year-old Tendulkar came into this match having scored 51 Test centuries and 48 in one-day internationals both records. He had looked in good touch while stroking six fours before fast bowler Stuart Broad, who has taken all three India first innings wickets to fall so far, produced a good length delivery that Tendulkar could only edge low to Graeme Swann at second slip.Tendulkar's exit continued his mediocre Test record at Lord's where his highest score in what is eight innings remains 37. His dismissal on Saturday left India 158 for three 316 runs behind England's first innings 474 for eight declared in what was the opening match of a four-Test series.

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India fight back after Broad double

LONDON: Sachin Tendulkar's bid to score his 100th international century here on Saturday remained intact after England seamer Stuart Broad starred on the third day of the first Test at Lord's.India, at lunch, were 102 for two in reply to England's first innings 474 for eight declared, a deficit of 372 and still needing a further 173 runs to avoid the follow-on.Rahul Dravid was 15 not out and Tendulkar, who came to the crease having already scored a record 51 Test centuries and 48 in one-day internationals, unbeaten on 10. Broad, the pick of an otherwise wayward England attack, was rewarded for a full length with the wickets of openers Gautam Gambhir (15) and Abhinav Mukund (49) during a spell of two for 25 in eight overs. Mukund, playing in place of the injured Virender Sehwag, and fellow left-hander Gambhir had survived a tricky half hour late Friday after England captain Andrew Strauss declared.There was a nasty moment early on Saturday for Mukund, in only his fourth Test, when he missed a hook off a Chris Tremlett bouncer and was hit on the side of the helmet.He then nervously edged swing bowler James Anderson through gully.But it was Broad who made the breakthrough when he bowled Gambhir between bat and pad with a full swinging delivery to leave India 63 for one.Mukund though straight-drove Broad to move to within four of a fifty.But one run shy of what would have been his second Test half century, the 21-year-old Mukund played on attempting an extravagant shot to end nearly two hours' of game resistance.Tendulkar, who made his Test debut before Mukund was born, walked out to a standing ovation from a capacity 28,500 crowd.He had been rested from India's recent tour of the West Indies and spent much of the intervening time practising at Lord's, where his Test-best score is a meagre 37.Tendulkar looked in a good touch Saturday with his only boundary so far, a backfoot pushed cover-drive off Tremlett, a classic. Kevin Pietersen's superb 202 not out was the cornerstone of England's total after they lost the toss. India medium-pacer Praveen Kumar took a Test-best haul of five for 106 in the absence of strike bowler Zaheer Khan, off the field for most of the innings with a hamstring strain.

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Pietersen strikes double hundred in 2000th Test

LONDON: Kevin Pietersen struck the India bowlers to all parts of Lord's on Friday during a majestic unbeaten innings of 202 on a sun-dappled second day of the first Test.Pietersen unfurled a series of glorious drives at the spiritual home of world cricket before an appreciative capacity crowd attending the 2,000th Test match and the 100th between the two countries. He smacked 21 boundaries and a six in more than eight hours at the crease to complete his third test double century and take England to 474 for eight declared. India survived the final half hour to reach 17 for no wicket at the close and set the stage for Saturday's showpiece day and Sachin Tendulkar, who needs one more century to become the first man to complete 100 international hundreds.India, reduced to three specialist bowlers in the absence of Zaheer Khan who was off the field all day due to a hamstring strain, had their own hero in the lion-hearted Praveen Kumar who took five for 106 from 40.3 overs. Moving the ball disconcertingly through the air at times at no more than medium pace with a low-slung action from an economical run-up, Kumar deservedly won a place on the Lord's honours board in only his fourth test.His performance was all the more creditable as conditions were in favour of the batsmen with the sun shining, the pitch full of runs and little in the way of support

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