ENG and IND same : Boycott

Boycott has opined that Eng and Ind are in the same boat.

Their batting is extolled as formidable, but their bowling is ordinary. Except for Bresnan and Swann, none of the others are in form.

India is in a similar position. Except for Zaheer and Munaf, none of the other bowlers impressed. Today they may go in for all rounder Ashwin instead of Chawla.

It was batting who saved both the teams. The top order of both Eng and Ind are in good nick, in contrast to Pak and other teams.

The middle order and the lower order are performing well for India. What a great strength is their lower order, said the dour English ex-batsman.

Eng and Ind bowl well on tracks which favour the bowlers. But on flat tracks, their bowling continue to be unimpressive.

Eng do not have the fierce pace of AUS. ( Now with Dirk Nannes in the side, the Kangaroos have four genuine fast bowlers over 150 kph speed ). But on bowlers' pitches, they skittle out the opposition. They bundled out SA for 165, on a bowlers' pitch. This reminds us of the unpredictable Pakis, who implode and explode, at intermittent intervals !

Both captains are in the same boat. Strauss may not be as clever as Brearly or Illingworth. Dhoni is similar to Strauss. But the players will give their best to them, because of their cool and intrepid nature.

I appreciate Dhoni. I never thought that Dhoni will be able to be both wicket keeper and captain. His sang-froid and coolness have surprised many. He handles everything cooly and this creates pressure in both physique and psyche. No Indian captain had been able to do this before. I dont think anybody else will, said Boycott !