India and England reach Nottingham with different hopes. Both have eye firm on number 1 spot. India does not want to lose it, England wants to snatch it. After the win at Lord’s England wants Nottingham to be the bridge towards the Test crown. After the loss at Nottingham, India expects Nottingham to be the bridge that leads towards the known terrain of victory.
Indian Test Record at Trent Bridge
Tendulkar vs Anderson Contest to Decide Trent Bridge Winner
English Record at Trent Bridge
England has played 55 tests at Trent Bridge, winning 18 and losing 16. Current English team has not won a series for a long time now. Anderson, their best bowler, is the fourth best bowler on Trtent Bridge. With Trott, Cook, Bell and now Pietersen in glowing form of their life, Strauss would like to close the path of series defeat at Trent Bridge.
Anderson is the fourth highest wicket taker on this ground. He has grabbed 28 wickets in just 4 tests, just one short of the legendary Warne who grabbed 29 wickets in 4 tests. England’s Bedser with 41 wickets in 6 tests and Trueman with 32 wickets in 5 tests lead the tally.
Indian Record at Trent Bridge
India has played 4 tests, won one match and lost one. Two matches ended in draw. Dhoni’s depleted men can take positives from the fact that besides England and Australia (who won 7 and lost 4 in their 21 matches on this venue), India is the only country not to have a negative record here in terms of wins.
India vs England last Match at Trent Bridge
India’s last game here saw a series winning test win under the captaincy of Ganguly. India won the game by 7 wickets. England were bowled out for 198 and 355. India scored 481 and 73/3 to win the match and series. Vaughan, the captain now, again scored a century, while Indian innings saw 5 half-centuries from the top order. Tendulkar was again out in the 90s.
Zaheer Khan was the player of the match with his 9/134 performance that included a second inning 5-wicket haul.
Big Blows to India before Trent Bridge Game
But, Zaheer is out of contention for the second test. After Sehwag the second big blow for India. Even Gambhir is doubtful for the match. Still, they have many match winners, at least with bat. Tendulkar and Dravid ike the Trent Bridge pitch.
Tendulkar – The 4th Best Overseas Batsmen at Trent Bridge
Tendulkar is the fourth highest scorer on Trent Bridge scoring 469 runs in 6 innings of 3 tests. Only three batsmen lead him on this venue. Viv Richards (567 runs in 6 innings of 4 tests), Bradman (526 runs in 8 innings of 4 tests) and Australian McCabe (477 runs in 6 innings of 3 tests) who played during 1930-38 are the thrree leading scorer here. But, considering the past record of 4 good knocks in 5 innings Tendulkar is set to be the best overseas batsmen at Trent Bridge.
Other Indians at Trent Bridge
Rahul Dravid also has a century against his name on this ground. Laxman has scored a half-century. Even Harbhajan has scored a half-century in the only test he has played here. But he gave 175 runs for the 3 wickets he took in his last match. Considering his current performance at Lord’s, he must want this match to belong to him.
Much More than Pride at Stake
India too expects him and other seniors to perform their best and get the equaliser at any cost. On the other hand English greats have already handed over the series to England. Strauss knows if they cross the bridge unharmed they will be just one step away from being the new King of Test Cricket. On the other hand if India wins, England will be way of losing even the series.
Trent Bridge is a big test for both team. Lord will want the best team on the ground to win. Fans are bound to be biased.
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