Looking forward for this series.. Hope India performs at least better than last time but I doubt they will. Our bowling is the weakest in all major test playing countries and I won't be surprised if cookie gets back his mojo especially by trundlers like Ishant Sharma!

Quite simply the lack of quality fast seam bowling in India is shocking. Flat tracks and a love in with batsman doesn't help. Since Srinath I can't think of one Indian fast bowler who has genuinely imposed fear on batsman with pace. Ishant Sharma at one point was very impressive but he is living off that over to Ponting.

India will feel that England are there for the taking. Cook under pressure, no spinner, inexperienced players and having lost to SL at home for the first makes them vulnerable.

In addition to that the summer months are expected to be dry and hot so those cold overcast conditions that Broad and Anderson love will be a minimum.

Having said all that the challenge is there for England to step up. The Indian bowling will not give them nightmares. Even someone like Ashwin who averages 80 with ball outside the subcontinent should hold no fear.

I predict 2-1 England

On top of that we also have a very weak test captain who can't bat in Eng, Aus n South Africa.. One thing for sure there will be tough between captains in making tactical mistakes

I meant competition in my earlier comment as both captains suck!

I'm a big fan of Dhoni - in my view the best captain we've ever had in cup tournaments and his three ICC major trophies speak for themselves. Combined with his humble persona he is a genuinely top bloke. However Test cricket requires a different type of leader as Cook is so harshly finding out. The best captains have usually been aggressive with great seamers behind them. Dhoni is very defensive in certain situations and it doesn't help that our seam attack is shocking and I hope doesn't struggle to get 20 England wickets each test. A big series for Kohli also who is the main man in that batting line up - must step up.

Well said Kav H.. I meant Dhoni regarding in tests not ODIs or T20s. He has proven in those formats but he shocks me in tests along with team selection. I just want to kick Sharmas big time as well as Ashwin

Ojha, Amit Mishra and many other spinners deserve chances instead of Ashwin overseas. Jaddu has shown improvement but he needs to do better as a spinner if he wants to play ahead of these guys.

India have been appalling away from home. Not many of the current crop are used to thd demands of 5 test series and thd bowling attack isn't too clever either... Don't think they'll get hammered like last they were here, but I expect England to win it...

Fact taker- welcome back buddy

The*****

Sri Lanka's bowling attack wasn't the best either in terms of stellar names. Stuck to their strengths and dug out a series win in the end though. Eranga and Prasad were very disciplined and got a lot of movement with that new ball. I know Kumar is capable of doing the same.

comment by Afridi14 (U2805)

posted 5 minutes ago

India have been appalling away from home. Not many of the current crop are used to thd demands of 5 test series and thd bowling attack isn't too clever either... Don't think they'll get hammered like last they were here, but I expect England to win it...

Fact taker- welcome back buddy
----------------------------------------------------

Big daddy is back sweetiepie!! I know u all are excited to reach mighty 3rd ranking

Anywaz just thank Lanka to get u there after the bullets they took for u and soon it may change cos u are just mere 1point ahead pal..

Lets roll da big series..

True, some of the English were embarrassing call the lankan attack "no better than a county bowling attack"..... Kumar is a good line and length bowler, but not sure what backing he'll get from the others... Just can't see India taking 20 wickets many times in the 5 games.....

Also, although the India batting is good on paper, these guys are mainly accustomed to ODI and ESP T20 cricket, so I expect some rashness and impatience from the middle order in particular

I expect it to change and we are grateful to the lankans ...

Let's hope you can stick around for the series mate and no cry foul and claim never to return again .... For me (and I'm sure many will disagree) is a test series contested by two medicore/ average teams... That's why it'll be interesting... The Aussies and Saffers are miles ahead of everyone else in test cricket terms

It would be a miracle if we win even a single test let alone series.. I am pretty sure Dhoni will take 0-0 if somehow we manage to but chances are quite slim for that too..

I worry that we don't have Swann to turn too. He broke partnrrships, shored up an end and was a huge presence in the team.

As the summer progresses we have to play a recognised spinner. Kerrigan and Riley are in the driving seat. Borthwick doesn't bowl enough for Durham.

We also need to get Stokes back in the team. He is perfect for International cricket.

Finally, Bell has to bat 3. Time to take responsibility. Ballance is better in the middle of the batting line up.

Cook, Robson, Bell, Root, Ballance, Stokes, Prior wk, Jordan, Broad, Kerrigan, Anderson

12th Man: Plunkett

After the last series, its difficult to see anyting other than an England win.

However, India may have watched teh Sri Lankans and took some confidence form their performance.

I do think the weather and conditions will play a massive part. If theres overcats, and ball swining, Anderon et al will rip through the Indian batting lineup.

I havent checked, but how many warm-up games are India planning this time..(not 1 like the last series I hope )

Im sure its a few more, they are in Leicester and start a 3 day match with them today...so thats a good start.

However, thje mighty Leicester may be a bit too far for them......

Babe I always stuck around for India even when they loose. I am mainly here when India plays and I got a busy life too.. Hope u don't get a heart attack if we somehow win or draw as your team will be kicked down the order. Oh I forgot u didn't care for rankings huh

plunkett gets to be 12th man after taking 9 wicket in his last test? that's confusing
Id replace Jordan with Stokes.. Jordan will come good.but doesn't seem to be accurate enough.

Yorkie- why have you left Moeen out? I'd have thought he'd walk into the team as a batsman alone after his heroics earlier this week?

Personally I just want to see a bit more fight from the lads this team. Having forked out a good amount of money to go to the Oval last time they came over to England it was pretty embarassing and poor to watch. However that was an aging team filled with disinterested stars. I'm also glad that they have dropped Raina for the test tour as lumping specialist T20 and ODI players in a test team doesn't work.

Also I feel Kerrigan was harshly overlooked for England and his performances for Lancs have been solid from what I've heard especially after his 4-76 the other day.

I am thankful to ECB, Cookie, n that big mouth I forgot his name may be downtown lol.., that they got rid of KP. No Swann n Kp which gives us hope for a miracle win with our lousy bowlers..

Ok a truce between England fans and Indian fans
be no mocking when either team is fatering? I promise not to laugh at India when they are losing ..

that shoulda said faultering

Plz don't mind folks but is Moeen related to Amla?

They look so similar