http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 v England 2011: 3rd Test at Edgbaston – English batsmen to watch out for
After a more than week-long gap, the two great cricketing sides, England and India, are once again up against each other. Surrounded by the riots, County Cricket Ground in Edgbaston, Birmingham, will witness a thrilling third Test, starting from today, August
10, 2011.
Trailing 0-2 in the four-Test series, the Indians are coming into the game aiming to win the encounter since a loss or a draw will kill their chances to stay alive in the competition.
On the other hand, the ruthless Englishmen are not ready to give the Men in Blue any space to breath, seeking a victory that will push them to the No. 1 position on ICC's rankings.
Despite the absence of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KP-Pietersen-c1806 and Ian Bell.
Andrew Strauss
After displaying an excellent performance in the tour game between the tourists and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Somerset-c843, the English skipper is yet to show his magic in the ongoing series.
Collecting just 102 in last four innings, Strauss seemed completely out of touch against the Indian medium-pacers. Yet, he has expressed his ambition to regain his lost momentum and come up with a great knock at Edgbaston.
The 34-year-old batsman has been an outstanding opener over the last few years, and is just a big innings away from finding his form. At an average of 41.69, the left-hander has amassed 6213 runs in his 87-Test-old career.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/AN-Cook-c1026
Cook also remained on the back-foot during the opening two Tests, gathering just 20 runs in four innings. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/JM-Anderson-c1705 and Chris Tremlett are the only two Englishmen who hit less runs than the left-hander, scoring seven and four runs respectively.
His fans are clueless about his dismal show after emerging as the highest run-getter in the previous series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758. Despite his bad time, the 26-year-old has the ability to comeback strongly.
The personified striker is looking to make himself count, aiming to hit a big one at Edgbaston. In his 70 Tests, he has proved his worth on many occasions, piling up 5540 runs at 47.75.
Kevin Pietersen
The aggressive batsman is http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013’s highest run-getter so far in the series, charming 295 runs including a blistering double-century at Lord’s.
Enjoying fantastic form these days, the South African-born cricketer will be a massive threat for India’s injury-hit bowling line-up.
Along with a knack of capitalising on a good start, the 31-year-old holds the ability to change the game quickly.
Pietersen has played 76 Tests so far in his career, scoring 6123 runs at an average of a little under-50.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/IR-Bell-c1597
Bell is one of the few international players who can perform well at any batting position. Due to Trott’s injury, the classy right-handed batsman came out to bat at one-down position, but that did not affect his game as he smashed a fabulous century and
propped his side up to an imposing total in the second innings at Trent Bridge.
He will be looking forward to replicate the good performance in the third Test, since an even bigger responsibility is resting on his shoulders in the absence of Trott. In 67 five-day matches, he has gathered 4758 runs at an average of almost 48.
Although, all of the English batting gurus have the potential to crush Indian bowling, the fans will have to wait and see which one of them emerges as the hero.
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