Just been going through a few cricketing stats for England vs subcontinent teams at the Oval and was suprised (very suprised) to find the following from 1960 - current:
Played: 15
Won: 2 (Both against pak – not including 2006 fiasco!)
Drew: 7 (Mainly vs India)
Lost: 5 (3 pak, 1 lanka, 1india)
So history would suggest that subcontinent teams generally do well at the Oval. In fact the last 5 games at the oval between these two sides has ended with a draw. That in mind, you would expect the Indians to salvage a bit of pride and get a draw at least. Still cant see them taking 20 English wickets though.
England have a much better record at the oval against saffers, Aussies, Zealand then they do against subcontinent teams – batsmen friendly pitch? Surely the Indians have a sniff…
Oval stats
posted on 16/8/11
Recent history suggests that the Oval has become a happy hunting ground for England. Who the opposition is is irrelevant.
_____________________________________
Last 10 years:
Played 10
won - 5 (None against subcontinent teams!)
Lost - 2 (one against subcontinet team)
Drew - 3 (two against subcontinent team)
Ok, oppostion is "irrelevant"....
posted on 16/8/11
In that period only Pakistan and Australia have won. Oz in 2001, Pakistan last year when Asif, Aamer and Ajmal were outstanding.
Where are India's Asif, Aamer and Ajmal?
posted on 16/8/11
Hope,
Like Ive already stated in the original article, i dont see the indians taking 20 english wickets, but i see them sneaking a draw if the pitch plays like it has over the years...... and if england win on a flat track, then the signs are good for the upcoming series in the winter
posted on 16/8/11
I count the summer of 2004 as the "modern England" beginning - Stats from all over would be interesting for the last 7 years
posted on 16/8/11
The Oval is a chance for India to salvage some pride, but I just don't know if they're up for the fight.
In the last test, only Kumar, who toiled away manfully, Dhoni, who played some nice attacking cricket (albeit in a lost cause, and his keeping was poor), and SRT in the 2nd Inns can take any pride away from the game.
posted on 16/8/11
Of course India have a chance of a draw. With their batting line up, the law of averages suggests they must come good some time.
They might even win if England's middle order commit hara-kiri as they have done in the past.
If I were an Indian fan I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for that to happen.
posted on 16/8/11
If India's batsmen perform to their pre-tour reputations, then a draw is likely. The oval seems to have lost some of the pace it had back when Devon Malcolm was taking a nine-fer, so it could be a high scoring draw.
The thing is I can't see India's bowlers being able to prevent England's batsmen piling up another large score, and the series so far suggests that India's batsmen give up the ghost once England have big runs on the board.
If they win the toss India's best tactic may be to bat first and try and put 500+ of their own on the scoreboard, and see what their bowlers can do when they have something to work with.
I still don't think that's *likely* to work... but it may be India's best chance in a desparate situation.
posted on 16/8/11
Even If India get 500+ if they bat first. It will take almost 5 sessions..Taking alot of time out of the test..The result will be more then likely be a draw. if they dont England will bat past them or on par. Making the 3rd innings inportant. If India collapse.England will win easily.
posted on 16/8/11
Look at history and we are going to cringe. Check out the past 2 years, that should put a smile on our faces. Who cares about what happened in 1960?
posted on 16/8/11
It should be a stern test but I back the top order to dust off the post-WC cobwebs and come good.They aint quitters these old pros.