India were facing another massive and improbable run chase, as England’s disciplined performance put the visitors under tremendous pressure. Nasser Hussain’s decision not to enforce the follow-on was unusual, though not completely unexpected. The memory of India’s backs-to-the-wall win in Kolkata lingers, as well as Jayasuriya’s folly earlier this summer in imposing the follow-on on a flat surface at Lord’s.With everything to play for in friendly conditions, England played aggressively and with a sense of purpose. Two batsmen battling for a permanent place, John Crawley and Michael Vaughan, played with ease and fluency. It will take a brave man to back India at this stage.The morning’s play saw the previous evening’s promising start by the Indians disintegrate. Hussain employed an attacking leg-side field and encouraged his pace quartet to bowl fast and short. This modern version of leg theory not only restricted the strokeplay of the fleet-footed Indians, but created an element of doubt in the batsmen’s mind.Craig White was a revelation and impressed most along with Simon Jones. England’s fast bowlers were quick and never let go of the initiative. Sachin Tendulkar looked tentative and strangely out of sorts. His shot-making was restricted by Hussain’s brave strategy and he perished to a rash cross-batted shot outside the off-stump.His dismissal opened up the match and laid the foundation for India’s meek surrender. Laxman showed an inclination to occupy the crease. But in the ultimate analysis, it was too little too late. Poor shot selection by the Indian batsmen had much to do with their dismal showing.(TheWicket.com)
