Super Saturday, sudden death

It's Super Saturday in England. They have a Euro 2008 match-up against Israel, their rugby team is gearing to take on USA in the World Cup...

It8217;s Super Saturday in England. They have a Euro 2008 match-up against Israel, their rugby team is gearing to take on USA in the World Cup, and yes, they have a cricket cruncher against India at Lord8217;s.

But at least, in cricket, the English team is already facing a curious problem. As their last match8217;s centurion Owais Shah admits, his team knows that it will almost be as if they are playing away from home, considering the huge Asian fan surge that8217;s expected at cricket8217;s most famous piece of real estate.

Probably, that8217;s why Steven Gerrard declaring his toe fit against medical advice is making bigger headlines than Andrew Flintoff taking a similar injection on his ankle to squeeze into the XI. In fact, Flintoff even bowled 15 balls at nets today in a desperate effort to be fit for the 8216;final8217; of the seven match one-day series that8217;s tied at 3-3.

On the other side, skipper Rahul Dravid is bracing up for the extra pressure too. And the fact that most of the 28,000 at Lord8217;s would be pushing his team to win. Many of them, apparently, are expecting a repeat of the 2002 Natwest final, even though they know that Dravid will be the last person to wave his shirt from the dressing room balcony like Sourav Ganguly did then.

Yes, Team India has written a great script on this tour so far with back-to-the-wall comebacks. Now, it8217;s sudden death and India are ready.

For starters, Sachin Tendukar is back to full training 8212; batting in nets, bowling, fielding while the rest of the squad looks in prime form. And, although Dravid had hinted at keeping the same combination that played the last match, it8217;s learnt that the sharp RP Singh will replace the wayward Ajit Agarkar for the big game.

With Robin Uthappa exploding like the way he did at The Oval, the Indians may even tinker a bit with the batting order 8212; depending, of course, on match situation8212; with the Bangalore striker earning a promotion up the order to provide the boost in powerplays in case of an early wicket.

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The big concern has been the number of runs conceded in the last 10 overs but Dravid insists with flat wickets, containing runs has always been difficult. Things will not be any different tomorrow either 8212; another 275-plus wicket, and short square boundaries with a quick outfield with test the bowlers to the limit.

The good thing for India has been regular contributions from all their batsmen, and bowlers. And that8217;s the sign of a team that can deliver tomorrow.

As for the big three 8212; Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar8212; it could well be their last one-day outing in England. None of them are ready to confirm that as yet, but there8217;s one thing all three agree on 8212; confidence in the dressing room has never been so high in recent times.

India at Lord8217;s

Opponents Winners Margin Date

England England 202 runs Jun 7, 1975

West Indies India 43 runs Jun 25, 1983

England India 6 wickets Jun 29, 2002

England India 2 wickets Jul 13, 2002

England India 23 runs Sept 5, 2004