LIVE - http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013 2011 – 3rd Test at Edgbaston - Match Preview
Whilst http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MS-Dhoni-c2028 is facing a Test series loss scare for the first time in his captaincy tenure, Andrew Strauss is eying a second historic, series win in eight months, as both the sides gear up for the third Test, starting today at Edgbaston, Birmingham.
England is leading the ongoing four-match Test series 2-0 and a win at Edgbaston will not only help them seal the series their way, but the Poms will leapfrog India and second-placed http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 on the test rankings, claiming the top spot.
If http://www.senore.com/Cricket/AJ-Strauss-c964-led England Test side succeeds in winning the Edgbaston Test, this would be their second historic achievement in one year, after winning the 2010-11 Ashes, down under, in January earlier this year.
India, after leading the perch of Test cricket for more than 18 months, looked totally out of flair in the series so far. The poor form of tourists in the first two matches can perhaps be attributed to the injury woes but the injury problem has not exactly
gone away since their 319-run crushing at Trent Bridge.
India’s prime strike bowler, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Harbhajan-Singh-c61453, have all been ruled out of the series. The only good news for the Indian’s could be the return of swashbuckling Sehwag to
the grounds after three months on the sidelines, nursing a shoulder surgery. Though it remains to be seen how effective the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Delhi-c780 top-order batsman can be as he not only has a mediocre record under English conditions, but also lacks the much needed practice
due to the shoulder injury.
The rookie leg-spinner, Amit Mishra, who has been called up as Harbhajan Singh’s replacement, is likely to make the Edgbaston Playing XI.
However, Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Tuesday, hinted at playing a four-pronged pace attack in the 3rd Test. If Dhoni http://www.senore.com/Cricket/RP-Singh-c87028, making a comeback to the Test side after a gap of more than three years.
The hosts are supposed to make one change in their winning combination from Trent Bridge, by calling in Ravi Bopara, for the injured http://www.senore.com/Cricket/IJL-Trott-c1576.
The Edgbaston curators have hinted at a spin-friendly wicket, which would not have much pace in it. However, the abrasive surface of the pitch might offer some reverse swing as well to the seamers.
England Playing XI: (probable): 1 Andrew Strauss (capt), 2 http://www.senore.com/Cricket/JM-Anderson-c1705.
India Playing XI: (probable): 1 http://www.senore.com/Cricket/S-Sreesanth-c2398
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