Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

India - Set to Take England by Storm or Flatter to Deceive

England and Wales Cricket Board announced a schedule for next summer’s test matches which promises some mouth-watering contests. For once, the Ashes is the appetiser.

Two tests against Pakistan get 2018 under way, followed by a five-match series against the current world number one, India. That won’t have changed by the time the first ball is bowled at Edgbaston; India will still be ranked number one by the ICC. A confident prediction but with the current state of the world game, not a bold one.


For England, it’s a chance to measure their improvement from the wretched tour of 2016 where a whitewash was only avoided by the draw in Rajkot. The batting was simply dreadful; by the time of the fifth test, their bowling disintegrated as well. India recorded 759 runs in their one innings at Chennai. To put that inning into context, England only exceeded that once with their combined innings total during the tour.

Since then, South Africa and the West Indies both came a cropper this summer. While the former are on a par with England, the latter continue to flatter to deceive and still await a return to anything more than a pale shadow of their former glories.

Despite everything, the headlines will declare England favourites to win this season and also the preceding two-match series against Pakistan. Against the Indians, history certainly favours the hosts with the 2007 Pataudi Trophy triumph their last series defeat at home to these particular tourists. The five subsequent series weigh 3 - 2 in England’s favour. You can’t compare now to a decade ago, as much as the esteemed Fourth Estate might wish to.

Online bookmakers Betway aren’t convinced England will be in the best shape. The Ashes tour sees Australia cast as favourites, at 4/7 while England are 9/4. The form book may look good for England but there are problems to address with bat; consistency is a big question England must answer.

BRAINS OR BRAWN: INDIA’S SPIN DILEMMA

India meanwhile must consider their attack. The wickets are unlikely to favour the inclusion of the two finger spinners, Ashwin and Jadeja. The latter enjoyed six and seven wicket hauls in recent tests against Sri Lanka and the prospect of his slow left arm orthodox bowling combined with Kuldeep Yadav’s left arm chinaman will give the England batsmen plenty to chew on during the summer.

It’s by no means certain than anyone other than Kuldeep will be in the starting line-up for the first test. Ashwin was rested for the recent ODI against Sri Lanka and during that time played for Worcestershire as he seeks to acclimatise to British wickets. However, his bowling averages in his first three matches showed him conceding 3.70 runs per over. In a test, such largesse will be punished.

The increasingly humid English summers almost demand three seamers, leaving the tourists with one space to be filled, almost certainly by an all-rounder. Away tours demand a five-man attack, particularly with the England bowlers considered one of best in the world at present. Anderson, Broad, Stokes, Jones have the pace while Moeen Ali the guile. It is the most consistent and capable attack to wear the England shirt for a few years. There is plenty of experience

While India’s batting line-up possess plenty of talent, there is a history of flattering to deceive overseas. Rahane encapsulated the issues during the recent series in Sri Lanka. A promising 57 in Galle was followed by 132 in Colombo. Yet the final innings of the tour saw him claim just 17. Yet in the West Indies, he notched a century, two half centuries and still maintains an average of 47.61. England beware.

The crowds at Edgbaston, Lord’s, Trent Bridge, The Rose Bowl, and The Oval are in for a treat. The crowds will be appreciative of the fare on offer and certainly very passionate in support of the tourists. They always are with England vs India second only to the Ashes in world cricket.

India earned their number one ranking by winning games and will no doubt be well prepared for the summer series. A four-match series in South Africa with 8 limited overs fixtures in the winter marks the first of three series against the second, third and fifth ranked teams, with a trip to Australia to round-off an intense and for supporters, rewarding 2018 schedule.

More For You

Priyanka Chopra

Priyanka Chopra says she wants strong roles not just ornamental characters

Getty Images

Priyanka Chopra says she is just getting started in Hollywood with 'Heads of State' on Prime Video

Quick highlights:

  • Priyanka Chopra Jonas says she’s just getting started in Hollywood.
  • Stars as a fierce MI6 agent alongside Idris Elba and John Cena.
  • Gets into serious action mode with explosions, helicopters, and hand-to-hand combat.
  • Says her journey is still evolving, with much more to explore in the West.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas may have ruled Bollywood for over two decades, but the global star believes she’s still “nascent” in her Hollywood journey, and that’s what makes it exciting.

The Quantico and Citadel actor stars in the new Amazon Prime Video film Heads of State, playing a sharp MI6 agent named Noel Bisset. Her character has a complicated history with British Prime Minister Sam Clarke (played by Idris Elba) and is tasked with protecting him and the newly elected US President Will Derringer (John Cena) when they're attacked before a major NATO conference.

Keep ReadingShow less
Arijit Singh

Arijit Singh becomes most followed musician on Spotify

Getty Images

Arijit Singh overtakes Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran to become most followed artist on Spotify

Quick highlights:

• Arijit Singh makes global music history with 151 million Spotify followers

• Surpasses Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran in follower count

Keep ReadingShow less
Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

Photo for representation. (iStock)

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE is now investigating more than 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects, following years of public criticism and institutional failings in tackling child sexual exploitation.

A new report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has revealed the force has made “significant improvements” in dealing with group-based sexual abuse and related crimes.

Keep ReadingShow less
Diwali

This year’s Diwali event will still see Belgrave Road continue to host what is left of the festival. (Representational image)

Major changes announced for Leicester’s Diwali celebrations amid safety fears

LDRS

THIS year’s annual Diwali celebrations will be stripped back amid public safety fears. Leicester City Council has said there will be no fireworks or stage entertainment as part of major changes announced for the event.

Cossington Street Recreation Ground will also not be used for the festivities, the council has revealed. The green space previously was the location for the main stage and the Diwali Village with its food stalls, funfair rides, fashion and arts. The annual fire garden display was also based there, offering “a peaceful oasis amid the festive excitement”.

Keep ReadingShow less
Liam Gallagher

Liam Gallagher arrives for the special screening of Oasis documentary "Supersonic"

Getty Images

Liam Gallagher apologises for racial slur after backlash as Oasis reunion tour kicks off

Quick highlights:

  • Liam Gallagher issued an apology after using a racial slur in a now-deleted social media post.
  • The offensive post appeared just days before Oasis kicked off their reunion tour in Cardiff.
  • Fans criticised the singer on X, prompting him to clarify it was unintentional.
  • Oasis will perform over 40 shows globally, starting 5 July in Wales.

Liam Gallagher has apologised for using a racial slur in a post on X, as Oasis reunites for their first tour in 15 years. The singer shared a one-word reply on Monday that included a derogatory term aimed at East Asian people. Though he quickly deleted it, screenshots circulated online, sparking widespread criticism.

In a follow-up post on Tuesday, Gallagher wrote: “Sorry if I offended anyone with my tweet before it wasn’t intentional you know I love you all and I do not discriminate. Peace and love LG x.”

Keep ReadingShow less