England vs India: Five players to watch out for at Lord’s

Bhavneet Singh 09:36 17/07/2014
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  • Bouncing back: Simon Kerrigan will be under huge scrutiny if given another go at Test level.

    After a lot of ‘pushing’, ‘pulling’ and ‘abusing’, the England vs India series returns to the field after three days off, and what better place to put to bed the menace surrounding the first Test with the game being played at the Mecca of cricket, Lord’s.

    Sachin Tendulkar, holds nearly every record in world cricket, but there is one thing that leaves even the master blaster wanting: A century at Lord’s.

    Admittedly, the absence of a ton here does hurt the little master.

    Such is the aura; such is the respect that the lush green field of Lord’s commands.

    When England host India in the second Investec Test today every player would like to make a difference at the place where it matters the most.

    Sport360° brings to you five players to watch out for in this second Test.

    Shikhar Dhawan 
    Though he did not manage to leave an impact in the first match, there was brilliance in patches. The second Test is all set to be a typical English affair with swing-friendly conditions and a green pitch.

    If given a chance, Dhawan would want to cement his position in the side with a good knock. With a replacement like Guatam Gambhir at the team’s disposal, his adaptability might not save him for long unless he starts scoring.

    Joe Root
    At 24, very few players have the ability to play an innings like Root did against India at Trent Bridge. The Yorkshire lad showed superb composure in a crucial situation to guide his side to safety with the tail-enders in his unbeaten 400-ball 152.

    If he carries on playing the same way, he will make life difficult for the Indian bowlers. He looked in supreme touch in the last match and will want to carry on from where he left off.

    Bhuvaneshwar Kumar 
    The only Indian bowler to have maintained an economy of below 3, Kumar lived up to the expectations and took to English conditions like a fish to water. He swung the ball both ways and kept the pressure up from one end.

    Not only did he get a five-for on his debut in England, the Uttar Pradesh youngster also slammed two half centuries in two innings to rescue his Indian side. With his record testifying his consistency, there is no doubt that he will perform in the second match.

    Simon Kerrigan 
    After almost giving away a crucial lead to the visitors India in the five-match series, the English will now be very careful and look to play the second match out safely.

    The steps seem to be in place as they have got in Lancashire youngster Kerrigan into the side, although it is uncertain as to whether he will start the second Test.

    The last match was an example of how unpredictability can have an impact on a game. Trying to cash in on that, the English team will want to use the surprise factor of Kerrigan while the Indians will be looking to attack the youngster if he gets the nod.

    Stuart Binny 
    The first innings he played was very ordinary and his bowling was uninspired for large parts of the match.

    Why does he make it to this list, you ask?

    Because of the confident play on the last day of the first match. When things started to look shaky and for the first time in the match, it looked like England could win it, up stepped Stuart Binny and he stood staunch in defence.

    He played his natural game with the calmness of a veteran. If he continues to play the same way in this match, a Test century at Lord’s cannot be ruled out.

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