Harmison out too

Deja vu, as India will take on England at Lords. Just like 2002, two of England's first-choice pacers, miss out due to injury. In 2002 at Lords, only Laxman and Ajit Agarkar stood up to the raw attack, but as the series progressed Rahul Dravid, Tendulkar and Ganguly came into their own and plundered runs. This time round, only Hoggard remains of the famed pace quartret that was able to restrain Australia in 2005. And this time too, both sides seem to have a bowling attach that is ripe for an ass-kicking.

There are danger men on both sides. Both Sreesanth and Zaheer had fantastic tours of South Africa. Stuart Broad is a 6 ft 6 inch beanpole who sounds just like the kind of bowler that can run through an Indian batting line-up. Sidebottom and Hoggard will be expected to keep things tight so that Monty strikes at the other end. Same with R P Singh when Kumble will keep bowling from one end.