What a glorious day of cricket we had yesterday? Michael Vaughan's fine century was a treat to watch. Always in position, never troubled and in control.
He took the attack to Kumble early on, knowing that Kumble was the danger man. Kumble also didn't help his own cause by forgetting his radar in the dressing room, but Vaughan never allowed Kumble to settle into the rhythm that could have become deadly.
Sreesanth forgot he was playing international cricket today. Or maybe, he just borrowed a leaf from the Aussies. He saw he was not doing well, and thought he might just go ahead and rattle the English. I may be guessing, but it that's what Sreesanth thought, then he did well. A beamer (he did apologise instantaneously), but I wasn't convinced that it was completely unintentional. And that front foot no ball by more than a metre. Just one ball prior, he had bowled from behind the stumps. What a character? Indian cricket does need characters like him. It will also help if he can occasionally bowl like the way he did in SA.
I was also glad to see the younger ones celebrating. Dinesh Karthik and Dhoni were happy for each other and were celebrating together. Matt Prior to please watch the replays and keep quiet for the rest of the Indian innings tomorrow.
One thing I noticed since the Lords Test is that India have come back from a bad session. And they have come back in style. They did it again yesterday. A break, the second new ball and ZK was breathing fire. Saurav may have got some fire into the Indian team, and Rahul Dravid seems to have built some steel. Typical of his own batting stlye. Though his own captaincy skills leaves much to be desired, at least this team is fighting back. No dropping shoulders; no going through the motions. They are willing to stick it out and fight for each other. That's a good sign.
Another 60+ runs to win today with 10 wickets in hand. Hope the Indians don't come out thinking that the match is over. For the English are going to have one last shot and they will come at the Indians with everything that they've got. After all, had it not been for weather, they too would have won the previous Test.
England may be No 2 and India at no. 6 in the ICC Test rankings, but this series proved that these teams are evenly balanced. Which means, there is really nothing to differentiate between the teams ranked no 2 through no 6. Which is good for Test cricket. For, one of these teams need to take on Australia. Someone needs the firepower and the steel and the fire and the aggro to topple Australia. India has all of them; so does SA, Pak and England in different percentages. Its only a matter of time before one of these teams get it right.
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