|
Ganguly stands firm against England
NOTTINGHAM: India were looking to captain Sourav Ganguly to help them save the second Test against England here at Trent Bridge on Monday.
At tea on the final day India were 315 for four in their second innings, a lead of 55 in reply to England's mammoth first innings 617.
Left-hander Ganguly was 81 not out off 127 balls including 11 fours and Venkatsai Laxman two not out. But England were given fresh hope when all-rounder Dominic Cork had Rahul Dravid lbw for 115 shortly before the break.
And with 42 overs remaining, the new ball only six deliveries old, and no immediate prospect of rain or bad light, there was still time for England to take a 2-0 lead in the four Test series after their 170 run win at Lord's last month.
It was absorbing cricket for the capacity crowd - a rare sight in England on the fifth day of a Test. Four balls after lunch England were convinced they had Dravid caught behind by veteran wicket-keeper Alec Stewart off pace bowler Matthew Hoggard for his interval score of 73, India still 211 for three. Replays suggested Dravid had got the thinnest of edges but South African umpire Rudi Koertzen ruled in the batsman's favour.
Dravid had another narrow escape when on 85 he gloved Flintoff only for the ball to drop just short of Stewart.
However, he kept his composure and brought up his first hundred against England, his eleventh in 62 Tests, with a stylish backfoot three off debutant quick Stephen Harmison.
Dravid had faced 208 balls including 14 fours in just over five hours of calm resistance before Cork struck. The medium-pacer's first two overs Monday had gone for 22 runs, but he eventually managed to make Dravid miss a ball of full length.
It seemed as if the delivery may have just been missing the leg-stump but this time Koertzen raised his finger. Together with Ganguly, Dravid had put on 135 for the fourth wicket.
In the morning, after India resumed on 99 for two, Sachin Tendulkar's 92 went some way to answering critics who said he never made runs when India needed them most.
As the tourists were 11 for two when he came to the crease, Tendulkar's innings could scarcely have been more valuable. But eight short of what would have been his 30th Test hundred, he was bowled by Vaughan, already enjoying a memorable match.
Vaughan's career-best 197 was the centrepiece of England's mammoth first innings score of 617 and his purple patch continued with the ball.
Turning one out of the footmarks created by India's left-arm quicks, Vaughan beat Tendulkar's intended drive, bowling him through the gap between bat and pad.
Tendulkar had faced 113 balls including 17 fours, putting on 163 with Dravid to take India to 174 for three.
August 12, 2002 -
Dravid century steers India towards safety
NOTTINGHAM: Rahul Dravid succeeded where Sachin Tendulkar failed as he completed a century against England to help India wipe out their first-innings deficit and head towards safety on the final afternoon of the second Test on Monday.
Dravid needed some fortune before celebrating his 11th Test hundred and his first against England with an extra cover drive and a wave to the Indian supporters in the capacity Trent Bridge. That took the touring side to 279 for three in their second innings -- they had been 260 adrift after the first -- as England's hopes of claiming a 2-0 series lead as well as a fourth successive victory on home soil began to dwindle.
Dravid, who hit 14 fours, and skipper Sourav Ganguly (64 not out) had put on an undefeated 105 for the fourth wicket as the home attack laboured under the first prolonged sunshine of the match and on a pitch playing as reliably as on the opening day.
Dravid's watchful five-hour innings, though, could not match the quality of Tendulkar's 92 before he fell victim to Michael Vaughan's occasional off-spin after a 163-run stand for the third wicket.
Vaughan, who made a career-best 197 in England's first innings of 617 and who was handed the ball only to vary the interminable diet of seam, turned a delivery sharply out of the rough outside off-stump and bowled Tendulkar through an inviting gate.
It was his only mistake in a two-and-a-half hour performance which included 17 boundaries off 113 deliveries.
Looking for his first major score of the series and facing criticism at home for failing in pressure situations, he had blasted his way to a risk-free 44-ball 50 late on the fourth evening.
More cautious but no less ruthless on Monday, he hammered swing bowler Dominic Cork out of the attack with three fours off one over before his wild drive at Vaughan.
Dravid, in contrast, while textbook in defence, was consistently worried by all-rounder Andrew Flintoff's rearing deliveries. His hook to bring up his 50 only just cleared the square leg fielder and Matthew Hoggard's huge appeal immediately after lunch for a catch behind went his way when on 73.
There was another edge off Flintoff which landed an inch short of Alec Stewart's gloves while Ganguly was not entirely convincing either early on, twice precariously bisecting a gully trap set for him.
The Indian captain reached his half-century with a late cut off Vaughan after batting for one-and-a-half hours and, with an hour gone in the afternoon session, produced another back-foot force to put India in the black at last.
A day was lost to bad weather early in the match. England won the first Test of the four-match series by 170 runs at Lord's.
August 12, 2002 - 1215 GMT
Tendulkar leads India recovery
NOTTINGHAM: Sachin Tendulkar's 92 was the highlight of the final morning session's play here Monday at Trent Bridge as India fought hard to save the second Test.
At lunch India were 211 for three, still 49 behind England's mammoth first innings 617. Rahul Dravid was 73 not out and India captain Sourav Ganguly unbeaten on 24.
Tendulkar, criticised recently for failing to make runs when India needed them most, had answered his doubters with a commanding innings having come the crease when the tourists were in dire straits at 11 for two.
And he seemed all set for his 30th Test hundred when he fell eight short, bowled by part-time off-spinner Michael Vaughan, already enjoying a memorable match. Vaughan's career-best 197 was the centrepiece of England's huge score and his purple patch continued with the ball.
Turning one out of the footmarks created by India's left-arm quicks, Vaughan beat Tendulkar's intended drive, bowling him through the gap between bat and pad. Tendulkar had faced 113 balls including 17 fours, putting on 163 with Dravid to take India to 174 for three.
Earlier India resumed on 99 for two, a deficit of 161, with Dravid 34 not out and Tendulkar 56 not out off 56 balls. And Tendulkar showed that his form had not disappeared overnight when he turned a short of a length ball from Andrew Flintoff outside off-stump through midwicket for four.
Dravid too was going for his shots. He cover-drove Matthew Hoggard for a boundary to go to 48. His fifty then came when he pulled Flintoff for four over debutant Stephen Harmison's head at deep backward square leg.
Dravid's half-century came from 80 balls including 10 fours. Both Flintoff, coming around the wicket to cramp Tendulkar for room, and Hoggard, who bowled some fine outswingers, troubled the batsmen.
But it was a different story for third seamer Dominic Cork. Medium-pacer Cork, recalled for this match after left-arm spinner Ashley Giles was dropped from the side that won the first Test by 170 runs, saw his two overs Monday go for 22 runs.
Tendulkar in particular took a liking to the Derbyshire captain's bowling, turning his first ball off his legs for four and later stroking two successive boundaries behind point and down to fine leg respectively.
August 12, 2002 - 1210 GMT
India 211-3 against England
NOTTINGHAM: India were 211 for three in their second innings at lunch on the fifth and final day of the second Test against England at Trent Bridge here Monday.
That left them 49 runs behind after England had made 617 in their first innings. Rahul Dravid was 73 not out and Sourav Ganguly 24 not out. England lead the four Test series 1-0.
DAY FOUR
August 11, 2002 - 1820 GMT
Majestic Tendulkar defies England
NOTTINGHAM: Sachin Tendulkar stood firm against the England attack with a run-a-ball 56 not out as India fought back on the fourth day of the second Test here at Trent Bridge on Sunday.
At stumps India were 99 for two in their second innings, still 161 behind England's mammoth first innings 617. Tendulkar had struck 11 boundaries in his score while Rahul Dravid hit seven fours in his unbeaten 34 when bad light ended play for the day at 1812GMT. England all-rounder Craig White, who earlier made an unbeaten 94, said Tendulkar held the key to the match.
"Tendulkar looks in decent form. But if we get him out early and niggle away at the rest it's a new game.
"They've got a lot of good players but we've got to really go hard at these two and get a new batsman in."
Tendulkar and Dravid masterminded an impressive recovery after India, already 1-0 down in the four-Test series, had been nought for one and then 11 for two as their second innings got off to a wretched start.
But by the time bad light forced an earlier 40-minute stoppage Dravid and Tendulkar had shared a stand of 51 in 59 balls. Tendulkar appeared determined to put three low scores in this series behind him and re-assert his position as the world's best batsman.
He produced a magnificent back foot forcing shot off Matthew Hoggard for four and stroked him for two more boundaries in the same over. And, as play resumed in bright sunshine, he twice straight drove the swing bowler for textbook boundaries.
In between those shots Hoggard took more punishment from Tendulkar, a cover-driven four bringing up his fifty from 44 balls including 10 fours.
Tendulkar had already reached another milestone when on 48 he passed England great Geoffrey Boycott's mark of 8,114 runs to move into eighth place in the all-time list of Test run scorers. Earlier first innings centurion Virender Sehwag went lbw to Hoggard for a second-ball duck, the batsman not playing a shot after taking half a pace forward.
And in the second over India lost their other opener, Wasim Jaffer, lbw to Andrew Flintoff's fourth delivery for five. By the time they were bowled out at tea, England's reply to the tourists' 357 was their highest total since they made 653 for four declared, against India, at Lord's in 1990.
But, disappointingly for England, Craig White was left stranded six runs short of what would have been a second Test hundred. He could only watch as debutant last man Steve Harmison (three) was caught by Jaffer at backward point off medium-pacer Ajit Agarkar. White faced 119 balls including 12 fours and also launched off-spinner Harbhajan Singh for a straight six.
White, who posted his second successive Test fifty, received excellent support from Yorkshire team-mate Hoggard, who made a career-best 32.
Their stand of 103 was an England ninth-wicket record against India, surpassing the 83 shared by Keith Fletcher and Norman Gifford at Madras in 1972-73.
It was eventually broken when Hoggard was caught at first slip by Dravid off left-arm quick Ashish Nehra. He faced 102 balls and hit three fours.
England were 468 for seven at lunch, an already healthy lead of 111 built on the foundations of Yorkshire batsman Michael Vaughan's Test-best 197 Saturday. White and fellow all-rounder Dominic Cork added 60 in 91 balls before Harbhajan broke through when he had the Derbyshire captain caught at short leg by Jaffer for 31.
England were then 493 for eight and duly passed five hundred for the fourth time in five Tests. However, India were without leg-spinner Anil Kumble, missing this match because of a calf injury as well as Test-retired quick Javagal Srinath.
Fortunately for India, left-arm quick Zaheer Khan shone early on, taking two wickets for one run in three balls after England resumed on 341 for five. He clean bowled both Flintoff (33) and Alec Stewart (87), manfully leading the attack with figures of three for 110.
August 11, 2002 -
Play resumes in second Test
NOTTINGHAM: Play resumed at 1739GMT on the fourth day of the second Test between India and England at Trent Bridge here on Sunday.
India were 62 for two in their second innings, a deficit of 198, when bad light had stopped play 35 minutes earlier.
Rahul Dravid was 19 not out and Sachin Tendulkar 36 not out. England lead the four Test series 1-0.
August 11, 2002 -
England double strike rocks India
NOTTINGHAM: India, needing 260 to avoid an innings defeat after England amassed 617, lost both openers in the first two overs of their second innings before bad light halted play late on day four of the second Test on Sunday.
India had recovered to 62 for two when play was suspended. Virender Sehwag, who scored a century in his first outing at Trent Bridge, went for a second-ball duck, shuffling forward and being hit by a full toss on the boot from Matthew Hoggard to send the Trent Bridge crowd in raptures.
Moments later Wasim Jaffer fell lbw for five to all-rounder Andrew Flintoff's fourth ball, although he looked unlucky after being hit on the roll of the pad by a rising delivery which looked set to clear the stumps.
Sachin Tendulkar, yet to make a major score in the series, and Rahul Dravid, however, restored some order, Tendulkar leading the way with some ruthless square cuts.
They put on 50 in 57 balls before play was stopped for bad light with 25 overs to play, India still 198 runs adrift.
It was a wretched start, however, after the Indians, already 1-0 down in the four-match series, had spent the first two sessions of the day chasing leather thanks to Alec Stewart's 92-ball 87 and Craig White, who finished on 94 not out.
But while Saurav Ganguly's attack appeared toothless and his field placings uninspired, his team could justifiably feel all the luck on offer had gone the hosts' way. Stewart's 92-ball innings, in particular, would have stuck in Indian throats.
The wicketkeeper batsman, mixing good fortune with good strokes, had reached 48 when an edge to third slip off medium-pacer Ajit Agarkar was claimed low down by Sehwag.
Stewart followed the modern convention by standing his ground and the third umpire gave him the benefit of the doubt after reviewing the video evidence.
Stewart, who moved up to fourth on England's list of all-time Test run scorers during his innings past Michael Atherton, then edged Agarkar between wicketkeeper and first slip at catchable height to reach his half-century.
An inside edge for four just past his off stump followed.
There were plenty of fine leg-side boundaries as well -- Stewart hitting 14 in all -- as he and the assured, heavy-batted Flintoff thrashed 97 runs off 100 balls.
The score had moved on to 432 for five when left-armer Zaheer Khan appeared to signal the end of the innings, bowling both batsmen within three balls.
Things, however, simply became more and more frustrating.
First White helped put on 60 for the eighth wicket with the limping Dominic Cork.
Cork, hampered by an injured knee, scored 28 of his 31 runs in boundaries, hitting freely before prodding off-spinner Harbhajan Singh to short leg to make it 493 for eight.
An extraordinary 103-run stand for the ninth wicket then ensued with Matthew Hoggard, until recently regarded as a wide-eyed rabbit whenever armed with a bat.
He pushed determinedly forward on to the front foot and played straight throughout a career-best 32 before he was caught at first slip off Ashish Nehra.
The partnership, an England record against India, showed how benign the pitch was playing but also how ragged the bowling had become.
The innings ended at tea, with White, who got into the 90s with a straight six off Harbhajan Singh which almost cleared the roof of the Radcliffe Road End stand, left stranded and all of India's bowlers nursing bruised egos.
Khan was the most successful with three for 110 while Harbhajan, despite finding prodigious turn throughout the game, took three for 175.
Stewart had begun his innings with 7,684 Test runs, 44 behind Atherton. Only Graham Gooch, with 8,900, David Gower and Geoff Boycott have scored more for England. Stewart also moved up to 12th on the world all-time list.
August 11, 2002 -
England pile on the runs against India
NOTTINGHAM: India's bowlers were frustrated by a ninth-wicket century stand between Yorkshire duo Craig White and Matthew Hoggard as England built a commanding total here at Trent Bridge on Sunday.
At tea on the fourth day of the second Test, England had been bowled out for 617, a lead of 260. It was England's highest total since they made 653 for four declared, against India, at Lord's in 1990.
The only disappointment for England was that White was left stranded on 94, just short of a deserved second Test hundred. He could only watch as debutant last man Steve Harmison (three) was caught by Wasim Jaffer at backward point off medium-pacer Ajit Agarkar.
White faced 119 balls including one six and 12 fours. He launched off-spinner Harbhajan Singh for a magnificent straight six and then produced a stylish late cut four off the slow bowler to move into the 90s.
Hoggard's career-best innings of 32 ended when he was caught at first slip by Rahul Dravid off left-arm quick Ashish Nehra. He faced 102 balls including three fours. Together with White he took the match away from India, already 1-0 down in the four Test series.
Their stand of 103 was an England ninth-wicket record against India, surpassing the 83 shared by Keith Fletcher and Norman Gifford at Madras in 1972-73.
England were 468 for seven at lunch, an already healthy lead of 111 built on the foundations of Yorkshire batsman Michael Vaughan's Test-best 197 Saturday. White, 16 not out at the break, carried the attack to India's seamers, driving left-arm quick Zaheer Khan past stumbling India captain Sourav Ganguly at mid-off.
Together with fellow all-rounder Dominic Cork, 17 not out at the interval, he added 60 in 91 balls before Harbhajan broke through when he had the Derbyshire captain well caught at short leg by Jaffer for 31. And after England had gone past five hundred for the fourth time in five Tests, White notched his second successive fifty.
A square drive off Zaheer was misfielded by Venkatsai Laxman to give White his eighth boundary in 81 balls. Without leg-spinner Anil Kumble, missing this match because of a calf injury, India also feeling the loss of Test-retired Javagal Srinath again looked a bowler short.
Earlier Zaheer shone in an otherwise disappointing morning for India, taking two wickets for one run in three balls after England resumed on 341 for five. He finished with figures of three for 110.
Zaheer, surprisingly kept away from the new ball, struck with his first ball back when Andrew Flintoff was bowled by one that kept a touch low for 33.
And two balls later veteran keeper Alec Stewart lost his off-stump for 87 as 432 for six became 433 for seven. Stewart faced 92 balls including 14 fours.
August 11, 2002
England all out for 617; lead India by 260
NOTTINGHAM: England were all out for 617 in their first innings on the fourth day of the second Test against India at Trent Bridge here Sunday. All-rounder Craig White was unbeaten on 94 at the end as England took a 260-run lead over the tourists, who scored 357 in their first innings.
August 11, 2002 -
England forge past 500 as India struggle
NOTTINGHAM: England, fired by Alec Stewart and a wagging tail, extended their first-innings lead to 159 over India as they moved on to 516 for eight on the fourth afternoon of the second Test at Trent Bridge on Sunday.
The home side, resuming on 341 for five, hammered 127 runs in a 24-over morning session for the loss of Stewart (87) and Andrew Flintoff (33).
They continued in similar vein after lunch with a 60-run stand for the eighth wicket between all-rounder Craig White and limping swing bowler Dominic Cork.
Cork, struggling with a knee problem which curtailed his bowling during India's first innings, unexpectedly took the lead role after lunch with some fine off-side strokes. India's attack, despite the presence of off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, continued to labour. Harbhajan finally claimed his third wicket when Cork was caught at short leg for 31.
Keen to protect his injury, Cork carved all but three of those runs in boundaries. Craig White was on 37 not out with Hoggard clinging on at the other end with two.
Stewart's 92-ball innings, through a mix of good luck and good strokes, took centre stage during a 97-run stand in only 100 balls with Flintoff during the first session.
Their enterprise, keeping England's hopes alive of forcing a second win in the four-match series after a day's play was lost to bad weather earlier in the match, came to a halt when left-arm fast bowler Zaheer Khan removed both within three balls.
Stewart, though, was fortunate to get to his half-century after moving up to fourth on England's list of all-time Test run scorers. The wicketkeeper-batsman followed the modern convention by standing his ground after Virender Sehwag claimed what looked like a sharp low catch at third slip off medium-pacer Ajit Agarkar after the new ball had been taken.
The third umpire, however, ruled that the ball appeared to have grazed the turf. Stewart then edged Agarkar between wicketkeeper and first slip at catchable height for another four to reach a 66-ball 50, followed immediately by another streaky boundary through gully and an inside edge for four just past his off stump.
All-rounder Flintoff looked far more assured as he smashed Khan through mid-off off the front foot, then hooked him to the square leg boards.
But Stewart regained his composure, taking advantage of Sourav Ganguly's conservative fields and his misplaced faith in Agarkar as he continued to push the pace with a string of leg-side fours.
When the expensive Agarkar was withdrawn, Khan came on to bowl Flintoff and then clip Stewart's off-stump as he played back and across the line to a full-length ball.
Stewart hit 14 fours. Stewart began his innings with 7,684 Test runs, 44 behind Michael Atherton. Only Graham Gooch, with 8,900, David Gower and Geoff Boycott have scored more for England.
August 11, 2002 - 1205 GMT
Zaheer spares India's blushes
NOTTINGHAM: Zaheer Khan gave India some comfort from an otherwise disappointing morning against England here at Trent Bridge on Sunday with a spell of two wickets for one run in three balls.
At lunch on the fourth day of the second Test, England were 468 for seven, a lead of 111, with Craig White 16 not out and Dominic Cork 17 not out.
But India's position, after their 170-run defeat in the four-match series opener at Lord's, might have been worse but for left-arm quick Zaheer. He was eventually handed the new ball by India captain Sourav Ganguly after medium-pacer Ajit Agarkar's four-over spell with it cost 40 runs. But in the ninth over of the new ball Zaheer's extra pace and accuracy yielded an instant result.
His first delivery back had Flintoff bowled playing across the line at one that kept a touch low for 33. Flintoff had put on 97 in 100 balls with Stewart but two balls later the 39-year-old veteran keeper was out too as 432 for six became 433 for seven. Stewart, 87, had his off-stump knocked back by a delivery that held its line.
He faced 92 balls including 14 fours. England were still 76 ahead but now had two fresh batsmen at the crease in White and Cork.
Earlier England resumed on 341 for five, a deficit of 16, with Stewart 30 not out and Flintoff two not out after they had accepted the umpires extraordinary offer of bad light in bright sunshine on Saturday.
After 90 overs India took the new ball with England now 12 ahead and gave it to Agarkar rather than Zaheer or fellow left-armer Ashish Nehra. And five balls later Agarkar thought he'd dismissed Stewart after Virender Sehwag at third slip claimed a catch.
However, Stewart stood his ground, the decision handed over to the third umpire. Television replays suggested Sehwag had grassed the diving chance and Stewart (48) continued.
But he was still lucky to get to fifty, an edge off Agarkar going straight between India debutant Parthiv Patel, at 17 the youngest wicket-keeper in Test history, and first slip Rahul Dravid, neither fielder moving for the chance. Former England captain Stewart was unaffected by his narrow escapes, having earlier in his innings gone past Michael Atherton's mark of 7,728 runs and into fourth place in the list of his country's Test run-scorers. India's bowlers then lost their way.
Agarkar twice strayed on to middle-and-leg, Stewart easing the ball away for successive boundaries.
And an intended Nehra bouncer sat up and was duly pulled for a convincing four by Flintoff. The adage that 'the new ball goes quicker off the bat' was proved again, 53 runs coming off the first seven overs after India disposed of the old one.
DAY THREE
August 10, 2002 - 1810 GMT
England 341-5 v India
NOTTINGHAM: England were 341 for the loss of five wickets at close of paly on the third day of the second Test against India here at Trent Bridge on Saturday.
Alec Stewart was 30 not out and Andrew Flintoff 2 not out, while making a reply to India first innings total of 357.
August 10, 2002 - 1515 GMT
Vaughan
hits Test-best century
NOTTINGHAM: Michael Vaughan recorded his second
successive century against India on Saturday as
England reached 201 for one in the second Test in
reply to the touring side's first-innings 357.
Vaughan, playing military straight, was
particularly strong on the drive as he reached a
Test-best 130 not out at tea on the third
afternoon as the sun broke out for the first time.
The Yorkshireman, one of those rare animals who
score better in Tests than at domestic level, got
within reach with a back-foot square drive for
four off medium-pacer Ajit Agarkar. He almost got
himself out by edging a Sourav Ganguly loosener
past gully but, on 99, he calmly flicked away a
leg-stump delivery as the Trent Bridge crowd rose
to him.
Vaughan hit 14 fours and faced 123 balls to get to
three figures. It was his fourth Test century and
his third of the season.
He scored a hundred in the second innings of
England's first-Test win at Lord's -- after being
dismissed for a duck in his first outing. There
was one blemish.
Having just passed 30, he had leg-glanced
Harbhajan Singh only for the ball to brush
17-year-old wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel's gloves.
Mark Butcher was at the other end on 43 after
helping put on 145 for the second wicket. The
left-handed Butcher survived a torrid early
examination from Harbhajan's off-spin -- including
a looping caught-and-bowled chance -- before
gradually playing himself in.
England's only casualty on Saturday was stocky
debutant Robert Key, who had made an unconvincing
17 out of 56 before attempting to hook left-armer
Ashish Nehra and edging the ball via his pads on
to the stumps. The equivalent of a day's play was
lost to bad light and rain on the first two days
at Bridge.
England are seeking a fourth successive Test win
on home soil for the first time since 1978-9. The
morning was dominated by Harbhajan the
batsman.
"The Turbanator" -- a nickname he
relishes -- struck a wonderfully entertaining
33-ball half-century as he put on a run-a-ball 61
with number 10 Zaheer Khan.
Only Kapil Dev, with a 30-ball knock against
Pakistan in Karachi in 1982-3, has reached the
mark quicker for India.
Harbhajan's delight was such that he leapt into
the air and almost decapitated wicketkeeper Alec
Stewart with his
swinging bat.
India had resumed on 302 for eight, built around
Virender Sehwag's first-day century, but English
hopes of a quick end evaporated in a flurry of
boundaries. Faced with some mediocre bowling,
Harbhajan drove and cut powerfully at anything
within range.
Fast bowler Steve Harmison, in his first Test and
majoring on pace rather than control, finally
produced a rearing delivery which ballooned off
Harbhajan's splice to Nasser Hussain at cover.
He made 54. Hoggard took the final wicket, Ashish
Nehra caught behind one run later, to finish with
four for 105. Harmison was flattered by his three
for 57.
August 10, 2002 -
Vaughan hits second successive century
NOTTINGHAM: Michael Vaughan recorded his
second successive century against India on
Saturday as England reached 173 for one in the
second Test in reply to the touring side's
first-innings 357.
Vaughan, playing military straight, was
particularly strong on the drive as he reached his
undefeated mark during the third afternoon.
The Yorkshireman, one of those rare animals who
score better in Tests than at domestic level, got
within reach with a back-foot square drive for
four off medium-pacer Ajit Agarkar. He almost got
himself out by edging a Sourav Ganguly loosener
past gully but, on 99, he calmly flicked away a
leg-stump delivery as the Trent Bridge crowd rose
to him.
Vaughan hit 14 fours, facing 123-ball innings,
before moving on to 115 not out. It was his fourth
test century and his third of the season. He also
scored a hundred in the second innings of
England's first-test win at Lord's -- after being
dismissed for a duck in his first outing.
Mark Butcher was at the other end on 31 after
helping put on 117 for the second wicket.
The left-handed Butcher survived a torrid early
examination from Harbhajan's off-spin -- including
a looping caught-and-bowled chance -- before
gradually playing himself into some form.
England's only casualty on Saturday was debutant
Robert Key, who had made an unconvincing 17 out of
56 before attempting to hook left-armer Ashish
Nehra and edging the ball via his pads on to the
stumps.
The equivalent of a day's play has already been
lost to bad light and rain at Trent Bridge.
England are seeking a fourth successive test win
on home soil for the first time since 1978-9. The
morning was dominated by Harbhajan in the guise of
batsman. "The Turbanator" -- a nickname
he relishes -- struck a 33-ball half-century as he
put on 61 at a run a ball with number 10 Zaheer
Khan.
Only Kapil Dev, with a 30-ball knock against
Pakistan in Karachi in 1982-3, has reached the
mark quicker for India.
Harbhajan's delight was such that he leapt into
the air and almost decapitated the ducking Alec
Stewart behind the stumps with his swinging bat.
India had resumed on 302 for eight, built around
Virender Sehwag's first-day century, but English
hopes of a quick end evaporated in a flurry of
boundaries. Faced with some mediocre bowling,
Harbhajan drove and cut powerfully at anything
with range.
Fast bowler Steve Harmison, in his first test and
majoring on pace rather than control, finally
produced a rearing delivery which ballooned off
Harbhajan's splice to Nasser Hussain at cover.
Harbhajan's 54 runs was his second fifty in tests.
Hoggard took the final wicket, Ashish Nehra caught
behind one run later, to finish with four for 105.
Harmison was flattered by his three for 57.
August 10, 2002 - 1200 GMT
England reach 46-0 after Harbhajan heroics
NOTTINGHAM: England, replying to India's
first-innings 357, made 46 without loss by lunch
on the third day of the rain-affected second test
at Trent Bridge on Saturday.
The assured Michael Vaughan was on 31 while Robert
Key, on his debut, had made a less than convincing
14 not out.
While Vaughan looked in ominously good form after
his century in the first test -- although one leg
glance off off-spinner Harbhajan Singh brushed the
wicketkeeper's gloves -- Key had several close
calls.
He survived a big appeal for caught behind as
left-armer Zaheer Khan swung a delivery past his
outside edge early on, then top-edged an attempted
hook over the wicketkeeper and edged the same
bowler through the vacant third slip area.
The morning, however, was dominated by a 33-ball
half-century by Indian tailender Harbhajan. His
delight was such that he leapt into the air and
swung his bat so enthusiastically that he almost
decapitated the ducking Alec Stewart behind the
stumps.
India had resumed on 302 for eight, built around
Virender Sehwag's century and Sourav Ganguly's 68,
on another cloudy day but English hopes of
wrapping up the innings evaporated as play began
with a flurry of boundaries. If the bowling was
mediocre, Harbhajan's approach was uncomplicated
as he drove and cut powerfully.
He hit two boundaries to third man off Hoggard's
first over, one admittedly involuntary, followed
by an authentic flick to midwicket as he and
number 10 Zaheer hit seven fours off the first
five overs.
Hoggard, the pick of the English attack, retired
to the outfield having conceded 19 runs in three
overs but his successor, Craig White, fared not
better as Harbhajan slashed him square over point
for another four while fast bowler Steve Harmison
was immediately dispatched through extra cover.
Harmison, in his first test and with more pace
than control, ended the 61-run, run-a-ball stand
with a rearing delivery which ballooned off
Harbhajan's splice before looping to Nasser
Hussain at cover.
Harbhajan's 54 runs came off 37 balls.
Hoggard took the final wicket, Ashish Nehra caught
behind one run later, to finish with four for 105
while Harmison was flattered by his three for
57.
The equivalent of a day's play has already been
lost to bad light and rain at Trent Bridge.
England won the first test at Lord's by 170 runs
and are seeking a fourth successive test win on
home soil for the first time since 1978-9.
August 10, 2002 - 1050 GMT
India all out for 357
NOTTINGHAM: India were bowled out for 357 in their first innings on the third day of the second Test against England here at Trent Bridge on Saturday.
Matthew Hoggard took four for 105 and Stephen Harmison took three for 57.
DAY TWO
August 09, 2002 -
India 302-8 v England
NOTTINGHAM: India were 302 for the loss of eight wickets at close of paly on the second day of the second Test against England here at Trent Bridge on
Friday.
Harbhajan Singh was 13 not out and Zaheer Khan 1 not out.
August 09, 2002 -
Ganguly forges on before Harmison strikes
NOTTINGHAM: Saurav Ganguly injected some life into the second Test against England on Friday with a highly-entertaining half-century as India moved on to 287 for seven on a rain-affected second day at Trent Bridge.
Ganguly, who failed twice in the first Test, put on 67 with the impish Ajit Agarkar for the sixth wicket before reaching tea on 68 not out after the morning's play had been wiped out by overnight rain.
England struggled for most of the session after removing Vangipurappu Laxman quickly but hit back with two more wickets just before the break as pace bowler Steve Harmison claimed his first Test victims.
Laxman had failed to add to his 22 after India resumed on 210 for four before all-rounder Andrew Flintoff induced him to dab forward at an outswinger which flew at a comfortable height to Robert Key at first slip.
Ganguly, though, 29 overnight, responded to the setback with a string of textbook shots.
He began with a punched front-foot drive off a Matthew Hoggard inswinger which he rifled past mid-off. Moments later he repeated the shot, the only variation a late opening of the face which sent the ball to the cover boundary.
Agarkar, who recorded his maiden Test hundred in a losing cause in the first Test at Lord's, followed suit with a neat clip for four off Flintoff's attempted leg-stump yorker and a less neat push forward which just cleared the gully.
When all-rounder Craig White was brought into the attack, Ganguly again produced a textbook drive through extra cover. A carbon copy and he had completed his 50, which included eight boundaries.
The cloudy conditions, though, continued to favour the bowlers, Flintoff and Hoggard both swinging the ball appreciably and bowling a more attacking line than England had employed on a pedestrian first day.
But Agarkar continued to drive, cut and live dangerously, sending a series of edges just over the slips before he finally fell into the trap, caught for a 39-ball 34 at third man by the sprawling Mark Butcher off
Harmison.
Moments later 17-year-old wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel also fell to
Harmison, fencing a head-high chance to second slip.
The rain and damp conditions meant 40 of the day's 105 scheduled overs have been lost. Twenty-four overs were also lost to bad light at the end of the first day. England lead the four-match series 1-0.
August 09, 2002 - 1515 GMT
India 287-7 against England
NOTTINGHAM: India were 287 for seven at tea on the second day of the second Test against England here at Trent Bridge on Friday.
India captain Sourav Ganguly was 68 not out after debutant wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel, at 17 years and 153 days the youngest gloveman in Test history, was dismissed for a duck to bring up the interval.
Earlier, rain had washed out the entire morning session. England lead the four match series 1-0.
August 09, 2002 -
Second Test gets underway
NOTTINGHAM: England fast bowler Matthew Hoggard got the second day of the second Test underway on Friday after the morning session was lost to the weather.
Hoggard, who took two wickets on a curtailed first day as India reached 210 for four, bowled the first over to Sourav Ganguly as the action restarted under heavy cloud cover after lunch.
Ganguly resumed on 29 with Vangipurappu Laxman on 22 not out. Heavy overnight and morning rain meant 40 of the day's 105 scheduled overs have already been lost at Trent Bridge.
Twenty-four overs were lost to bad light at the end of the first day, which featured a fine century in swinging conditions by Virender
Sehwag.
England lead the four-match series 1-0.
August 09, 2002 -
Play set to begin in second Test
NOTTINGHAM: Play in the second Test between England and India here at Trent Bridge is set to restart at 1320GMT Friday.
Rain washed out the entire morning session of the second day's play and the umpires made their decision after holding a 1240GMT inspection.
The announcement of the restart time that followed shortly afterwards over the public address system was greeted with boos and slow handclaps by some spectators.
They could see England cricketers playing football on the outfield and doubtless wondered why, in that case, the match could not begin immediately.
Overnight, India were 210 for four after winning the toss. India captain Sourav Ganguly was 29 not out and Venkatsai Laxman 22 not out after Virender Sehwag had made a Test-best 106. England lead the four match series 1-0 after winning the first Test at Lord's by 170 runs.
August 09, 2002 -
Umpires set for pitch inspection
NOTTINGHAM: Umpires Rudi Koertzen and Russell Tiffin will inspect the Trent Bridge pitch at 1240GMT, weather permitting, as they try to resume the second Test between England and India here Friday.
Earlier, rain washed out the entire morning session of the second day's play. The officials then decided to take lunch at the scheduled time of 1200GMT before seeing if the pitch and outfield had dried out sufficiently for play to commence.
Overnight, India were 210 for four after winning the toss. India captain Sourav Ganguly was 29 not out and Venkatsai Laxman 22 not out after Virender Sehwag had made a Test-best 106. England lead the four match series 1-0 after winning the Lord's opener by 170 runs.
August 09, 2002 -
Second morning washed out
NOTTINGHAM: The umpires were due to carry out an inspection at 1240 GMT on Friday after overnight and morning rain delayed the start of the second day of the second Test between England and India at Trent Bridge.
The covers were still on the square but the rain had stopped, although the venue was surrounded by heavy cloud.
Bad light cut short the first day, with India on 210 for four after opting to bat.
DAY ONE
August 08, 2002 - 1645 GMT
India 210-4 v England
NOTTINGHAM: India were 210 for the loss of four wickets at close of paly on the first day of the second Test against England here at Trent Bridge on Thursday.
Sourav Ganguly was 29 not out and Venkatsai Laxman 22 not out.
England lead the four Test series 1-0.
August 08, 2002 - 1445 GMT
Sehwag steadies India as Tendulkar fails
NOTTINGHAM: Virender Sehwag's unbeaten 85 was the centrepiece of India's resistance against England here at Trent Bridge on Thursday.
When bad light forced an early tea on the first day of the second Test of four India were 141 for three after winning the toss with captain Sourav Ganguly five not out.
Opener Sehwag had faced 155 balls including 14 fours. It was a particularly valuable innings after Sachin Tendulkar departed for 34 - his third low score of the series.
Tendulkar, 10 not out at lunch, seemed to be finding his form when he flicked Craig White through midwicket for a trademark four. But just when it seemed as if he was about to atone for scores of 16 and 12 in the 170-run series opening defeat at Lord's, Tendulkar again went cheaply.
Trying to pull a short delivery well outside off-stump from recalled medium-pacer Dominic Cork, Tendulkar only succeeded in getting a bottom edge on to his stumps.
Tendulkar's first 10 runs had come from 38 balls, his next 24 from 30 which made the manner of his dismissal all the more wasteful as he chased a seventh boundary.
Together with Sehwag he had put on 74 in 131 balls, the pair starting to make England's policy of opting for an all right-arm seam attack look highly risky. Tendulkar had gone past West Indies great Garry Sobers' mark of 8,032 runs and into sole possession of ninth place in the all-time list of leading Test run-scorers but at 108 for three the match had tilted back in England's
favour.
Earlier Ganguly won the toss and, despite a green-tinged pitch, took the bold decision to bat first. But his side were soon in trouble. India lost their first wicket for just six when, with his eighth delivery, Hoggard bowled Wasim Jaffer for a duck, an inside edge going through a huge gap between bat and pad.
England debutant quick Steve Harmison began with four successive maidens after coming in for fellow fast bowler Simon Jones, who won his first Test cap at Lord's but subsequently suffered a side strain.
However, the statistics belied Harmison's lack of accuracy. Hoggard though was making the batsmen play and dismissed Rahul Dravid (13) when the batsman drove at an outswinger without moving his feet.
England's other debutant, Kent batsman Robert Key, did the rest with a diving first slip catch. Key was playing in place of Graham Thorpe, who announced after the first Test that he was taking an indefinite break from all cricket due to personal reasons.
August 08, 2002 - 1205 GMT
Hoggard double strike puts England in charge
NOTTINGHAM: Fast bowler Matthew Hoggard took two wickets as England strangled India's much-vaunted batting line-up on the first morning of the second Test on Thursday.
At lunch, Virender Sehwag (37) and a nervous Sachin Tendulkar (10) had edged the score to 61 for two from 28
overs. Yorkshireman Hoggard cut back his eighth delivery of the day to bowl Wasim Jaffer through the gate for a
duck with just six on the Trent Bridge scoreboard.
Rahul Dravid, who moments before had been squared up and beaten by a fine Hoggard leg-cutter, then shaped to drive but could only edge to debutant Robert Key at first slip to make it 34 for two. Dravid scored 13.
Hoggard, who took seven wickets in England's win in the first Test and who is more often described as workhorse than show pony, bowled 10 overs on the trot for 17 runs before skipper Nasser Hussain could prise the ball from him.
India had opted to bat first at a cloudy, intermittently sunny Trent Bridge but failed to take advantage in a morning of restrained cricket.
Only Sehwag, with a series of powerful drives, seemed confident in going for his shots. He had opened India's account with a sumptuous front-foot boundary off swing bowler Dominic Cork, but was lucky two deliveries later
when a tentative prod forward allowed the ball to spin back and bounce over his stumps.
Whenever Cork, selected ahead of left-arm spinner Ashley Giles as England opted for a five-man pace attack, dropped short as he strained for pace, however, he was clinically dispatched to the off-side boards.
Steve Harmison, a raw bowler offering extreme pace and England's second debutant, extracted steepling bounce while hurrying the batsmen but most of his deliveries were sprayed harmlessly down the leg side.
Tendulkar, shackled in the first Test, survived an Andrew Flintoff lbw appeal, a wild swish and a play and miss before he finally scored, glancing his 17th ball off Flintoff for a single that moved him ahead of Gary Sobers's 8,032 runs and into sole ninth place in the list of top Test scorers.
England made three changes from the side that contested the first Test at Lord's while India made two, replacing leg-spinner Anil Kumble with off-spinner Harbhajan Singh and wicketkeeper Ajay Ratra with his teenage understudy Parthiv Patel. Both Kumble and Patel were struggling with muscle strains.
August 08, 2002 -
Hoggard strikes early for England
NOTTINGHAM: Matthew Hoggard struck with his eighth ball of the match as England took the early initiative after India opted to bat in the second Test on Thursday.
The Yorkshire fast bowler cut a ball back to bowl Wasim Jaffer through the gate for a duck with just six on the Trent Bridge scoreboard.
Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag then steadied things as the touring side, already 1-0 down in the four-match series, crawled to 29 for one after an hour's play under a cloudy but clearing sky.
Sehwag had opened India's account with a sumptuous front-foot boundary off swing bowler Dominic Cork's first over but had a lucky escape two deliveries later when a tentative prod forward allowed the ball to spin back and bounce
over his stumps.
Cork, selected ahead of left-arm spinner Ashley Giles as England opted for a five-man pace attack, also just missed out on an lbw appeal as the ball swung away late to leg.
But whenever Cork dropped short as he strained for pace he was clinically dispatched to the off-side boards. He was taken off after four overs costing four boundaries and 20 runs.
Hoggard, who took seven Indian wickets in the first Test, produced another fine delivery that cut through Dravid's defence but the ball cleared the stumps before Steve
Harmison, a raw bowler offering extreme pace, made his
debutant's entrance.
Harmison, extracting steepling bounce, soon had Dravid ducking and hurrying but most of the Durham bowler's deliveries hurtled down the leg side as he struggled for direction.
England made three changes from the side that contested the first Test at Lord's, giving debuts to Harmison and opening batsman Robert Key.
Harmison replaced the injured Simon Jones while Graham Thorpe has opted to take a break from the game because of personal problems.
India made two changes, replacing leg-spinner Anil Kumble with off-spinner Harbhajan Singh and wicketkeeper Ajay Ratra with his teenage understudy Parthiv Patel. Both Kumble and Patel were struggling with muscle strains.
August 08, 2002 - 1010 GMT
India elect to bat
NOTTINGHAM, England: India won the toss and elected to bat in the second Test against England here at Trent Bridge on Thursday.
India's 17-year-old wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel was called up for his Test debut after first choice gloveman Ajay Ratra sustained a brusied toe while batting in the nets on Wednesday.
In another change from the series opener at Lord's, off-spinner Harbhajan Singh comes in for leg-spinner Anil Kumble who has a calf strain.
England gave Test debuts to Robert Key and Steve
Harmison. Kent batsman Key takes the place of middle-order stalwart Graham Thorpe, who announced after the first Test he was taking an indefinite break from all cricket
because of personal problems.
But with opener Marcus Trescothick still out with a broken thumb, Key will partner Michael Vaughan at the top of the innings.
Durham quick Harmison comes in for Lord's debutant and fellow fast bowler Simon Jones who has a side strain. With a green-tinged pitch expected to favour seam bowling, England have omitted left-arm spinner Ashley Giles and
recalled medium-pacer Dominic Cork.
England won the first Test by 170 runs and and so lead the four-match series 1-0. India have not won a Test series outside of the sub-continent since a 2-0 victory in England back in 1986.
England: Michael Vaughan, Robert Key, Mark Butcher, Nasser Hussain (captain), John Crawley, Alec Stewart (wicketkeeper), Andrew
Flintoff, Craig White, Dominic Cork, Matthew
Hoggard, Steve Harmison.
India: Wasim Jaffer, Virender Sehwag, Rahul
Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly (captain), Venkatsai
Laxman, Ajit Agarkar, Harbhajan Singh, Parthiv Patel (wicketkeeper), Zaheer Khan, Ashish
Nehra.
Umpires: Rudi Koertzen (South Africa) and Russell Tiffin (Zimbabwe). TV umpire: Jeremy Lloyds (England)
Match referee: Clive Lloyd (West Indies).
|