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The battle for numero uno

Much like the world of men's tennis, the battle for #1 status in Test match cricket is well and truly on. And the two biggest contenders in India and England take on each other in what should be a fascinating series (weather permitting of course as always in blighty ;-)). The South Africans would probably object to this but I think that at the moment they are in the position that Federer is, i.e. will always be there and thereabouts but unable to make the final push. Primarily I think their problem is the lack of a reliable third seamer (India and England have that problem too to some degree) but more importantly (at least until Imran Tahir proves himself capable or otherwise) the lack of a world class spinner. At full strength, the top 6 batters of all three teams are probably on par, with India maybe a notch ahead simply by dint of the wealth of experience in all conditions.

Ironically, its the batting (and the fact that India will not be at full strength for at least half the series) that might be a pivotal factor. For once I agree with Ian Chappell in that the absence of Virender Sehwag will be felt strongly and is probably the main thing (apart from home conditions) that tips the scales slightly in favour of the English. India are the incumbent no.1 and the pressure will be on them to prove that they can compete well even without their best opener since Gavaskar. Given all that he has achieved as captain, a win here will seal Dhoni's reputation as India's best skipper ever (especially if he can follow that up with a win in Australia later in the season). He will have to be at his best though as will the rest of the team as they take on a in-form side at home.

How closely the teams are matched can be seen from the uncanny similarities in the likely line-ups and the averages over the last year and a half or so. Both teams have two left-handed openers (Strauss/Cook and Gambhir/Mukund till Sehwag arrives). They are followed by two classical Test match grafters/pressure absorbers (Trott and Dravid), the champions (Pietersen and Tendulkar), the stylists (Bell and Laxman), and the left-handed "limited overs specialists" (Morgan and Raina). The bowling line-ups too compare well with the two best swing bowlers in the world (Zaheer and Anderson) leading the attacks backed up by tall seamers and honest toilers (Ishant/one of Praveen/Sreesanth and Tremlett/one of Broad/Bresnan). The two best off-spinners (Harbhajan and Swann) and attacking wicket-keeper batsmen (Dhoni and Prior) in the world round things off. The crucial difference though will probably be the experience and class of Strauss over the rawness of Mukund till Sehwag arrives. If the openers can give India consistent starts then England will find the going tough so how young Mukund deals with Anderson and Tremlett (especially at Lord's) will be critical. Its probably unfair to heap that much pressure on a 21 year old who will be playing only his fourth Test but then life's unfair.

All in all, its too close to call but if I were a betting man, my money would be on England to edge it 2-1 given Zaheer's slightly dodgy fitness record, and Sehwag's late arrival. Regardless of outcome though, can't wait for the series to start and for my first four days of live Test match cricket in England :-)

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