No one seems to have started a thread, so I will. India did well after a slow start, but things are slowing down a bit now. Umpire Long missed a clear edge by Yuvraj by a long way (pun intended ). I am disappointed that Yuvraj did not walk.

A noble sentiment Nostro but I don't blame him for standing there one bit.

As we both know (its seems we've discussed little else!!) the umpiring hasn't been too great in this series so its only a matter of time before India get another rough one.

I note India have played the extra batsman this time but I am surpised Dravid hasn't come in a bit higher up. I think the main thing for India will be their performance in the field. Would I be right in saying this has been the most frustrating aspect of the series for the Indian fans?

India really puttng their fot down now. Big test this for England's relatively inexperienced attack. Nice, straight and full I would suggest. 320 looks likely now.

First substandard bowling and fielding display of the series by England and it also does kind of highlight why Lewis shouldn't be in the one day side if the pitch is remotely flat. Toothless with the new ball first up allowing the Indian openers to get off to a serene start (something the Broad/Anderson partnership never did) and completely ineffective during the middle and latter overs. He may have escaped with better figures than Broad but he IMHO was far more culpible (along with Monty who also bowled poorly) for what should be a match winning total for India.

Need a repeat of the flying start at Bristol if we are going to get close as Chawla and Power will be a nightmare to get away in the middle overs.

I think that England made a silly mistake playing Lewis 1-63, and Broad 1-84 in the same side.

The rest of the bowling was poor also, but it was IMO inevitable India would fight back at some stage and make this series a real contest.
Prior with his 46 and Bell with his 43 - both at more than a run a ball have at least put a fight up.

Big question mark over Cook as a one day player, and Pietersen IMO needs a rest.

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Ern

I missed most of the game but the cricinfo bulletin partially backs you up: suggests the chances were created.. but not taken. That does rather stuff ANY bowler's ability to control a game!

The bulletins rarely even mention most outside chances... so I guess the following were either sitters or decent chances:With that said... the overwhelming impression of all the reports is of a pitch that offered no real chance of a contest between bat and ball: yet another pitch that should have seen the pitch inspectors summoned and the venue both fined and stripped of international-venue status.

I am really happy that India won, but it does make me wonder how it would have turned out if rain had not intervened. Collingwood was having a go and like Bristol things could have got too close for comfort.

I am very impressed with Collingwood's captaincy, in sharp contrast to Dravid's unimaginative and placid leadership. Dravid once again shot himself in the feet by giving Tendulkar at least 2 extra overs, from which 27 runs were scored. If rain had not intervened, that error might have turned out very embarassing.

Like Nasser or Botham remarked during the previous match, the Indian team in general have lost that fighting spirit under Dravid that they showed so often when Ganguly was at the helm.

I think again you may be being a little hard on Dravid - India won this match, forget Tendulkar and look at the England bowling stat's for this match.

I agree with Rachael that cricket pitches that are being prepared, just lead to boring cricket.

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Ern

I think we are all in agreement there. Old Trafford was hard work for the bats and produced a low scoring game but at least it was a compelling watch.

England didnt field very well but the bowling ( Colly excepted ) was poor. Lewis and Broad were poor. Against quality bats gentle medium pace like Lewis will get murdered if the bowler isnt very precise and to be honest England have missed the extra pace and bounce of Flintoff. None of the Indians have been comfortable against it.

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Mark.

If you bowl rubbish it should be punished no matter what your pace... and both Collingwood and Ganguly bowled slowly and returned good figures... so lack of pace was certainly no obstacle to bowling at EITHER set of batsmen. Furthermore, the English bowlers DID create chances... and had those been taken the pressure would have built on the batting side - sides may look to force good balls on 150/1 with an established partnership ay the crease but rarely bat with the same freedom on 150/5 when wickets keep tumbling.

As one commentator noted when Agarkar was bowling.... it's damn hard work at the best of times on a pitch that offers nothing... but having to create 15-20 chances in order to take 11 wickets (and leaking runs through poor fielding) is an even tougher proposition (putting pressure on bowlers to try desperate measures).

With all that said... no one should really come in for excessive criticism for their bowling or their batting on such an unsporting pitch: in such circumstances the least deserving batsmen often contribute the most as everyone is reduced to playing lousy shots and hoping to ride their luck.. and the bowling figures end up being something of a lottery as lousy swipes and slogs (over which the batsman has lost control) go for runs instead of going to hand.