The swing factor remains crucial

The third Test at The Oval will also have the same factors playing a major role, in deciding the outcome of the match. The crucial difference between the two teams here will depend on how the top-order of both teams perform with the bat to counter swing.

Tim Boon, former analyst of the England national team that worked with the 2005 Ashes winning unit alongside ex-coach Duncan Fletcher and skipper Michael Vaughan, underlines this line of thought. 8220;The Duke ball takes time before it begins to swing, even when conditions are most supporting. For the first 15 overs, the batsman has to counter mainly the pace generated by the bowler with a new ball. It is only after that, when the ball is allowed to lose its shine that swing becomes dangerous to counter,8221; says Boon.

It was a theory, he says, Troy Cooley worked on with Andrew Flintoff, Matthew Hoggard, Simon Jones and Steve Harmison in charge. Boon elaborates on how Jones and Flintoff 8212; during the Ashes 8212; were always brought in as second change. 8220;Once the opening attack is successful in getting early wickets, English conditions are very difficult for the new batsman to settle in easily,8221; he says.

For India, there is relief that the famed four-pronged pace attack won8217;t be delivering at The Oval. However, Rahul Dravid8217;s team has already seen what bowlers like Sidebottom and Tremlett can come up with when the occasion demands, Sachin Tendulkar personally admitting that the Indian batsmen have been particularly impressed by Sidebottom8217;s ability to keep the swing in control with the pace.

On Monday, India opener Wasim Jaffer 8212; who has been able to keep aside the awful memories of his last tour here with some excellent showing this time 8212; endorsed the fact that to counter swing has been the most difficult task on hand. 8220;Last time, I was four years younger. Now, there is a lot more maturity. I have learnt a few things and worked on it. To counter swing is one of those lessons,8221; says Jaffer.

In the first innings at Trent Bridge, when India scored 481, it was Jaffer along with opening partner Dinesh Kaarthick who were responsible for the impressive start, cracking half-centuries.

8220;It was difficult no doubt, as the overs kept going and the bowlers finding their rhythm. We were particularly happy with the way we stuck around,8221; he says. The Indian batsmen lost quick wickets on the last morning of the Trent Bridge Test, before they eventually won by seven wickets. Until then, Tremlett8217;s brief burst that cost India two wickets was impressive to say the least.

As Vaughan said after the match, 8220;Tremlett looked like he was settling in well after being brought in as first change. He was fresh and not under any pressure. The target was easily gettable.8221; India will have to keep in mind that Tremlett, Sidebottom and even Anderson who got the series8217; first five-wicket haul at Lord8217;s can deliver in the same fashion in the all-important do-or-die Test for England.

If that happens, the visitors will have to ensure that the top batsmen get going before any responsibility is passed on to the middle-order.