Topsy-turvy battle halted by rain

DAY 2 IN MANCHESTER—India fight back with pacers. Root, Buttler stop them.

By The Report by Andrew McGlashan | ESPNcricinfo – Fri 8 Aug, 2014 5:30 AM IST

England 237 for 6 (Bell 58, Root 48*) lead India 152 by 85 runs

Scorecard | Action in Images

India won a rare session this morning, with Bhuvaneshwar taking Jordan and Bell.Depending on which forecast you believe, and which proves most accurate, the tail-end of Hurricane Bertha could yet provided England's biggest obstacle to taking a 2-1 lead in the series. The rain that wiped out the best part of two sessions on the second day of the fourth Investec Test was just a traditional summer deluge but interrupted a vibrant stand between Joe Root and Jos Buttler, which had helped England into a lead of 85, and left a corner of the ground saturated.

It was a much-needed partnership for the home side, who had been pegged back to 170 for 6 - an advantage of just 18 - during the morning session as India's pacemen, especially Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Varun Aaron, made use of conditions similarly favourable to the first morning when the visitors found themselves in all sorts of strife.

When Moeen Ali's off stump was uprooted by the impressive Aaron there was a good chance of India restricting England's lead to something very manageable, but Root and Buttler added 67 in 18 overs either side of lunch before the heavy rain swept in. Puddles quickly formed and although the sun re-emerged, a severely waterlogged corner of the outfield - most of which had drained perfectly adequately - prevented further play and raised concerns about how it would cope with further downpours.

Before the rain, there was a good chance to assess another side of Buttler's game. He was able to begin his Test career by walking in at 420 for 5 at the Ageas Bowl; what greeted him this time was a very different scenario. Given the conditions, both he and Root will probably not have been disappointed to have the first session finish with the twin spin of R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja even though there was a hint of turn. An off-drive by Buttler in the penultimate over of the session was arguably the shot of the morning and he showed a tight technique.

There was clear urgency after the interval and the hard running by the pair forced errors in the field from India as they became a little ragged. Despite the time lost, and the likelihood of further interruptions - Saturday is best forecast of the remaining days - the game is already reasonably advanced, with the bowlers having been on top. Also, the pitch is not expected to lose its life and if skies remain overcast the quicks should continue to prosper providing players can get on the field.

The opening session had been enthralling, nip-and-tuck Test cricket. India were a little flat in the first half an hour, perhaps a hangover from a difficult first day, as Aaron, who caught the eye with his pace on the previous evening, was held back from the attack. Pankaj Singh shared the early work with Bhuvneshwar but still could not claim a maiden Test wicket; instead he had to endure seeing an inside edge from Chris Jordan narrowly miss the stumps.

Jordan, one of the higher-quality nightwatchmen you will see, fell to a short delivery from Bhuvneshwar which he could not keep down and Aaron took an excellent low catch, to his right, at midwicket. Bhuvneshwar bowled a touch shorter than is his ideal length and his main threat remained with the fuller deliveries.

One such ball snaked past Ian Bell's edge before the next delivery grazed the bat as the batsman was drawn into playing a delivery he could have left. Bell had earlier passed fifty from 63 balls, but England were still trailing as he departed and India had created themselves an opportunity to balance the match.

Root and Moeen were given a testing examination by Bhuvneshwar's swing and Aaron's pace, which continued to nudge 90mph. Both bowlers challenged Moeen with the short delivery and while Bhuvneshwar was dealt with reasonably, Aaron caused problems and his set-up of Moeen from around the wicket was outstanding.

A well-directed short ball had Moeen sparring into the leg side as he was beaten for pace trying to pull, the ball taking the glove wide of short leg, and after Moeen had come back for a second run the next delivery was a spearing inswinger which went between bat and pad into off stump. Although it was not the short ball which took the wicket, it caused the wicket and the dismissal raised further questions about Moeen's handling of that mode of attack.

India could claim to have won their first session since Lord's, but such was the paltry total they had to defend that as soon as one partnership was threatening substance - as Root and Buttler did - England's lead was soon becoming a concern.


ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

Broad sixer destroys India

DAY 1, MANCHESTER: Record six ducks for India (152). England 113-3 in response.

By The Report by Andrew McGlashan | ESPNcricinfo – Thu 7 Aug, 2014 5:30 AM IST

England 113 for 3 (Bell 45*, Jordan 0*) trail India 152 (Dhoni 71, Ashwin 40, Broad 6-25) by 39 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

Broad celebrates dismissing Gambhir at Old Trafford.A couple of weeks ago it appeared unlikely Stuart Broad would make it through this series and until a few days ago it was by no means certain that James Anderson would be available, either. As it was, the pair combined to take nine wickets - Broad the bulk of them with 6 for 25 - as India were removed for 152 inside two sessions at Old Trafford and by the close England were strongly placed only 39 runs behind to suggest a significant swing in the series.

Within six overs India were in tatters at 8 for 4; three of the top four having collected ducks, including the struggling Virat Kohli who fell second ball to his nemesis Anderson. From the rubble of the first half an hour, their final total was something of a recovery. MS Dhoni, back at No. 6 after another reshuffle of the batting order, played excellently for his 71 but Broad, who according to reports will have knee surgery after the series, cleaned up the lower order.

The six ducks in India's innings equalled the world record as, for the first time this season, England managed to exploit what could be termed 'English' conditions although they were by no means frightful. It was certainly the quickest pitch seen so far but, by and large, England found the correct, full length which found the edges which they had failed to do at Headingley against Sri Lanka and Lord's in this series.

England did not have it all their own way in reply, certainly against the new ball as Sam Robson and Alastair Cook departed cheaply to leave them 36 for 2. However, on a gloriously sunny evening Ian Bell, after wild pull first ball, clicked into gear with a string of boundaries which included advancing down to loft R Ashwin for a straight six.

Gary Ballance continued his fine form and the third-wicket pair looked set to see out the day but Ballance was trapped lbw by the impressive Varun Aaron, playing his second Test and first since November 2011, from around the wicket in what proved the final over the day. It should be noted that eight overs were lost.

There was a stroke - or should that be a flip - of fortune for England before a ball was bowled. Cook lost the toss and Dhoni was happy to bat first; it has been the route taken by every Test captain at this ground since Graham Gooch against Australia in 1993. Cook admitted he would have batted, but as he said that he glanced skywards at the clouds, which had been heavy enough to delay the start by half an hour with drizzle, and pondered what could be on offer.

Stood at first slip, Cook would immediately have been delighted by what he watched. A manic 13-ball period began when Broad made the opening incision in the fourth over when Gautam Gambhir, playing his first Test since December 2012 in place of Shikhar Dhawan, was squared up in a manner similar to the 2011 tour and edged to gully.

Anderson had already found his groove and now started to find the edges. M Vijay, the pillar of India's batting in the series, nicked a perfect outswinger to Cook at first slip and two deliveries later there was a near replay when Kohli moved across his crease and felt for another delivery which curved away. It was one of those spells where another wicket, if not more, felt inevitable and Dhoni's uncertain technique was given a working over by Anderson.

There has been some criticism this season of the length of spells Anderson has been asked to bowl, but the nine-over opening burst today was fully understandable in the circumstances. It was a reminder, not that any was needed, of the significance of the not-guilty verdict.

The next stage of the match came when Cook changed the bowling - would Chris Woakes and Chris Jordan maintain the stranglehold? Woakes could have struck - for just the second time in Test cricket - with his third ball when Dhoni edged a booming drive which flew high towards Jordan at fourth slip but he could not time his jump to intercept the chance.

Dhoni was always keen to try and get onto the front foot and England's response was to bowl a touch shorter, which took them away from what had provided all the earlier success. It was not a complete dereliction of their duties as happened at Lord's, but they were perhaps sucked in by Dhoni's method. Whenever the ball was full, it kept moving.

As it did at Lord's, Ajinkya Rahane's technique, playing the ball late with a straight bat, stood him in good stead and he was the most comfortable of India's batsmen in the morning session only to be let down by a rare misjudgement, driving at a swinging delivery, although it was a timely reminder to England's bowlers that the cost of a few boundaries is worth the potential reward of the outside edge. For Jordan, the weakest link of the attack at the Ageas Bowl, it was an important wicket after two barren outings although the support for Anderson and Broad was still not as exacting as it could have been.

Shortly after lunch the other half of the recent off-field drama, Ravindra Jadeja, who had not been given an overly welcoming reception from the partisan crowd, was pinned lbw by a classic Anderson set-up, almost identical to how he fell at the Ageas Bowl. At 63 for 6 three figures was looking some way off for India.

Ashwin counter-attacked, picking off England's bowlers when they were drawn into bowling too straight, and the total was doubled during the 14-over stand with Dhoni. However, when there was just a hint that England could let frustration get to them, Ashwin picked out deep square-leg from a short delivery. Bhuvneshwar Kumar's batting mojo has deserted him since Lord's and he left a delivery that hit middle stump and after Dhoni collected a few defiant boundaries managed to pick out the only fielder within acres on the leg side.

It was not perfect from England. Early in England's reply, Robson shouldered arms to a well-disguised inswinger from Bhuvneshwar which took his off stump. It was an unconvincing stay from Robson, who twice nearly edged to slip, and he is the one new member of the batting order who, despite his hundred against Sri Lanka, has yet to wholly convince.

If Robson is feeling any pressure, he could glance over at his opening partner. Cook revived his fortunes last week and, as he slotted away an on- and off-drive off Pankaj Singh, and was moving smoothly only to be outdone by a slippery short delivery from Aaron who touched 90mph during a lively spell. Going for the hook, Cook was not in control and top-edged to Pankaj at long leg. Pankaj took it nonchalantly, but surely will have wished the dismissal was the other way around: his wait for a maiden Test wicket goes on.
ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

टेस्ट LIVE: जिमी और ब्रॉड की घातक गेंदबाजी, 8 रन पर लौटे चार भारतीय बल्लेबाज

पुजारा को आउट करने के बाद जश्न की मुद्रा में स्टुअर्ट ब्रॉड।

 

मैनचेस्टर. यहां ओल्ड ट्रैफर्ड मैदान पर हो रहे टेस्ट मुकाबले में भारत ने इंग्लैंड के खिलाफ 4 विकेट के नुकसान पर 11 रन बना लिए हैं। अजिंक्य रहाणे और महेंद्र सिंह धोनी हैं।

 

8 रन पर लौटे चार बल्लेबाज

 

भारत की शुरुआत अच्छी नहीं रही। उसे एक के बाद एक 8 रन पर ही चार झटके लगे। काफी समय बाद टीम इंडिया में वापसी करने वाले गौतम गंभीर के रूप में पहला झटका लगा। वे मात्र 4 रन के निजी स्कोर पर स्टुअर्ट ब्रॉड की गेंद पर जो रूट के हाथों लपके गए। इसके बाद तो एक के बाद एक दो बल्लेबाज 'तु चल मैं आया' के तहत पवेलियन लौटे। मुरली विजय और विराट कोहली शून्य के स्कोर पर आउट हुए। यह दोनों ही विकेट पहले मैच में रवींद्र जडेजा से उलझने वाले जेम्स एंडरसन के खाते में गए।

 

चेतेश्वर पुजारा को ब्रॉड ने किया चलता

 

जेम्स एंडरसन द्वारा फेंके गए तीसरे ओवर में भारत को दो झटके लगे। उसके बाद चौथे ओवर में स्टुअर्ट ब्रॉड ने आते ही पुजारा को शून्य पर आउट किया। वे जॉर्डन के हाथों लपके गए।

 

भारत ने जीता टॉस, लिया बल्लेबाजी का फैसला

 

इससे पहले टीम इंडिया ने टॉस जीतकर पहले बल्लेबाजी करने का फैसला किया। प्लेयिंग इलेवन में तीन बदलाव हैं। रविचंद्रन अश्विन, वरुण आरोन और गौतम गंभीर को मौका मिला है। शिखर धवन, रोहित शर्मा और मोहम्मद शमी को बाहर बैठना पड़ा है। (यह भी पढ़ें: चौथा टेस्ट आज: तीन प्रतिद्वंद्वी दे सकते हैं कड़ी टक्‍कर, टीम इंडिया की भी हैं तीन बड़ी मुश्किलें)

 

टीमें इस प्रकार से हैं - 

इंडिया - गौतम गंभीर, मुरली विजय, चेतेश्वर पुजारा, विराट कोहली, अजिंक्य रहाणे, महेंद्र सिंह धोनी, रवींद्र जडेजा, रविचंद्रन अश्विन, भुवनेश्वर कुमार, वरुण आरोन और पंकज सिंह।

इंग्लैंड - एलिस्टर कुक (कप्तान), सैम रॉबसन, गैरी बैलेंस, इयान बेल, जो रूट, मोइन अली, जोस बटलर, क्रिस वोक्स, क्रिस जॉर्डन, स्टुअर्ट ब्रॉड और जेम्स एंडरसन।

 

इससे पहले बारिश के कारण टॉस होने में देरी हुई।

 

इन्वेस्टेक टेस्ट सीरीज का चौथा मुकाबला दोनों ही टीमों के लिए काफी अहम है। सीरीज 1-1 की बराबरी पर है और दोनों ही टीमें बढ़त लेने के लिए जोर लगा रहे हैं। 

Selection headaches ahead of crucial Test

After the Southampton trouncing and the Anderson-Jadeja spat, India need to regroup fast at Old Trafford.

By Indo Asian News Service | IANS – 19 hours ago

Manchester, Aug 6 (IANS): In the wake of losing the third cricket Test and face in the Jadeja-Anderson spat judgment, India will look to regroup and devise a plan to make enough runs and take 20 English wickets to win the fourth Test at the Old Trafford here, starting Thursday.

A different verdict on Anderson would have wiped off Cook's smile. (AP)India were soundly beaten in the Southampton Test, losing by 266 runs at the Rose Bowl.

Set to get 445 runs on a deteriorating pitch, India did not even attempt to save the Test by defying the England attack, having lost four wickets by the end of the fourth day, and caved-in in the morning session on the fifth day.

India were bowled out for 330 in the first innings and 178 in the second to allow England to square the five-Test series 1-1. The visitors clearly looked out of depth on a pitch which saw England cumulatively amassing 773 runs in the two innings.

More than their fickle batting, captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni must be worried more about the bowlers' capability to take 20 wickets at a reasonable rate.

Not for the first time has this sort of thing happened to India. They could manage to take 20 wickets in an overseas Test only four times in their last 15 Tests. On three of those four occasions, those 20 wickets cost India more than their batsmen could score.

And the other instance was on this tour, at Lord's. However, two of India's match-winners from that game, Ishant Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, are doubtful starters for Old Trafford.

While Ishant has been ruled out, Bhuvneshwar barely participated in the first nets session Tuesday with a swollen ankle.

In the absence of the two premier pacers, Dhoni might have to rely on one-Test-old Pankaj Singh -- who on his debut at Rose Bowl went wicketless, Varun Aaron -- yet to play a match on the tour, and Mohammed Shami.

SHAMI HAS BEEN DISAPPOINTING

Shami will have to shoulder the bowling attack -- but can Dhoni pin his hope on a bowler, who has taken five wickets at 73.20? His economy rate of 3.81, too, has been the worst among specialist bowlers.

And then there is the worrying factor of Shikhar Dhawan's batting form. The Delhi batsmen has been woefully short of runs and his place in the side is no longer a guarantee.

Dhawan is in danger of losing his place to his Delhi teammate Gautam Gambhir, who last played a Test for India in early 2012, in Nagpur against England.

Many have also questioned the reasoning behind the omission of India's premier spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. Ravindra Jadeja has looked a far cry from being regarded as India's first choice spinner in Tests.

While Moeen Ali, a part-time English spinner, took eight wickets in the third Test -- six of these coming in the second innings, Jadeja could manage just five on the same pitch.

The left-arm spinner bowled 45 overs in the first innings, bagging just two wickets.

England, meanwhile, have all the momentum going for them. The hosts ended a winless run of ten Tests, which began in August last year, with a dominant performance.

It was almost the perfect Test. Not only did England's out-of-form batsmen -- and under pressure captain Alastair Cook and Ian Bell -- make big runs but upcoming star Gary Ballance and debutant Jos Buttler were highly impressive.

Another heartening fact is the performance of Moeen Ali, solving their spin problem.

Teams:

England (from): Alastair Cook (captain), Sam Robson, Gary Ballance, Ian Bell, Joe Root, Moeen Ali, Jos Buttler (wicketkeeper), Ben Stokes, Chris Jordan, Stuart Broad, Steve Finn, James Anderson, Chris Woaakes.

India (from): Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain/wicketkeeper), Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Gautam Gambhir, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Naman Ojha, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Ishwar Pandey, Stuart Binny, Varun Aaron, Pankaj Singh.

Umpires: Rod Tucker (Australia) and Marias Erasmus (South Africa).

Referee: Ranjan Madugalle (Sri Lanka).

Ashwin and Gambhir may play at Old Trafford

If the signs from India's net sessions are anything to go by, R Ashwin seems set to play his first Test of 2014.

By Sidharth Monga in Manchester | ESPNcricinfo – Tue 5 Aug, 2014 5:30 AM IST

If the signs from India's net sessions are anything to go by, R Ashwin seems set to play his first Test of 2014. It is not clear if he will take the place of Rohit Sharma or Ravindra Jadeja if he does so. During their loss in Southampton, India rarely used Jadeja as a wicket-taking bowler, but equally Rohit disappointed with his shot-selection in the first innings, stepping out and hitting Moeen Ali straight to mid-off five minutes before tea. Rohit seems to be the likelier one to go out, with India returning to their five-batsmen formula of the first two Tests.

The Chennai off-spinner has spent an extended time on the bench this year. (Reuters)India's other worry that was accentuated in Southampton was their slip-catching. Jadeja dropped Alastair Cook on 15 in the first innings, and watched him return to form. Shikhar Dhawan dropped one catch in the second innings, a catch that MS Dhoni should have gone for. Dhoni later said that slip-catching was an issue, but added that Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane and Jadeja were the best three he had as a cordon.

However, there were enough signs in the nets two days ahead of the Old Trafford Test to suggest that that cordon will need a rejig. Dhawan is now an unlikely starter after six failures with the bat, and when India did their slips practice, M Vijay had moved in at first slip. Dhawan did not bat as much as he has been doing, and Gautam Gambhir can be hopeful of a Test return after having last played in late 2012. It is not a given, though. Gambhir got a hit just after Vijay, but struggled a bit, and spent most of the remaining session sat on a cooler box. There is a line of thought that Cheteshwar Pujara could be asked to open with the other batsmen moving up one spot. In that scenario, Rohit could be retained, with Ashwin replacing Dhawan in the XI.

CONFUSION AROUND THE OPENERS

There might be confusion around the openers and No. 6, but there was also good news for India. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, whose swollen ankle had been a cause for concern, bowled for about 50 minutes in the nets without any visible discomfort. If he can manage similar fitness on Wednesday, he should be certain to share the new ball with Mohammed Shami on Thursday. Pankaj Singh, who was unlucky in going wicketless on Test debut in Southampton, is not likely to witness a turnaround in his luck. Jharkhand quick Varun Aaron looks likely to replace Pankaj, with the latter doing hardly any bowling at the nets.

There has been another interesting trend in the India nets since they have arrived in Manchester. Their batsmen, mainly Pujara and Virat Kohli, have been going through stints in nets where they sweep, sweep and then sweep some more. That India lost six second-innings wickets to Moeen in Southampton is a big source of frustration for them. Dhoni said he does not want his batsmen to let Moeen settle into a rhythm. India were aggressive against the offspinner, but lost Rohit in the process in the first innings.

India batsmen are not natural sweepers of the ball. They like to use their feet to get to the pitch of the ball. Before this Test, though, the sweep, with the batsmen consciously getting outside the line of off and with the bat coming down from quite high, seems to be an addition the coaches want them to make.

ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

India's return to nets hints at changes for Old Trafford Test

Bhuvneshwar remains a worry; debate over Rohit, Dhawan as India prepare for Old Trafford Test.

By Sidharth Monga at Old Trafford | ESPNcricinfo – Mon 4 Aug, 2014 5:30 AM IST

India's first day on a cricket field since the loss at the Ageas Bowl, and what would have been a demoralising verdict for them in the James Anderson hearing, began with a longish huddle at Old Trafford on Monday afternoon. Arms around each other, regrouping after having taken a beating on the field, in the court, and - they certainly believe - in a corridor at Trent Bridge. At one point, fielding coach Trevor Penney could be seen speaking animatedly in the huddle. Others spoke too. Wonder if someone said, "Boys, how the hell do we take 20 wickets here?"

While what happened between Ravindra Jadeja and Anderson remains an issue, India will know you win Test matches by taking 20 wickets or playing teams led by Garry Sobers or Michael Clarke. India have done so only four times in their last 15 away Tests. On three of those four occasions, those 20 wickets have cost India more than their batsmen were able to score. The other successful instance was on this tour, at Lord's, but the two architects of that win - Ishant Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar - were out of action on the first day of India's pre-Test training.

During their customary pre-nets footballs game, both Ishant and Bhuvneshwar took up goalkeeping duties. Ishant has been ruled out of fourth Test, MS Dhoni has already said, but Bhuvneshwar, who had a swelling on his ankle, remains a matter of interest. When the nets began, Ishant took up umpiring duties, ironically because he is guilty of bowling more no-balls than most in the world today. Bhuvneshwar bowled a few deliveries gingerly, off a short run, and pulled out in five minutes or so.India will hope Bhuvneshwar Kumar can recover from his injury ahead of the fourth Test. (Getty Images)

Seen from outside, the signs cannot be good: the Test begins on Thursday. However, seeing how India called up replacement for Wriddhiman Saha but not an extra fast bowler - Umesh Yadav is available, for example - the educated guess would be that they are confident of his being fit in time for Old Trafford. That Ishant is still with the team, and that a replacement has not been called for, would mean they are hopeful of his return in time for the Oval Test. The team, however, will not say what the injuries are.

Even if Bhuvneshwar is fit for Old Trafford, India will need a much-improved performance from Mohammed Shami, who has taken five wickets at 73.20 apiece. His economy rate of 3.81, too, has been the worst among specialist bowlers. No specialist bowler's wickets or overs have cost more per unit in this series. However, Shami looked really good at the nets on Monday, bowling at a good pace, repeatedly beating specialist batsmen. M Vijay was hit high on the thigh pads often, Cheteshwar Pujara had his poles uprooted, and Shikhar Dhawan was squared up and beaten around off.

That might not be the only cause for concern for Dhawan, though. For the first time since India reached Nottingham, Gautam Gambhir had a hit pretty early on in the nets. It was a clear sign that Dhawan - after six failures - cannot take his place for granted. India have left open that option of bringing Gambhir in. Gambhir last played a Test for India in early 2012, in Nagpur against England.

Gambhir is not the only option India seem to have left open. R Ashwin, who in the eyes of the experts and public has become a better spinner with every passing day out of the Test team, was more active in the nets than usual. He had a decent bowl at the start, and also got a longish hit with the bat. If he does come in, as almost everyone has demanded by now, he will do so in place of either Jadeja, who looked ineffective at the Ageas Bowl, or Rohit Sharma. Ashwin's last Test was Johannesburg, where he bowled 42 wicketless overs, 36 of those in the second innings.

India have options, and they could prove you wrong, but in the absence of Ishant, this side does not look like one that will take 20 wickets for fewer runs than what their batsmen score. That is one reason that could make India think of stacking their batting up, and retain Rohit. Unless Dhoni looks to bowl that extra bowler for more than 10-12 overs, he will be better off with that specialist batsman at No. 6.

For the first time in the series, you could not tell from India's nets what combination and players they are looking to play. Gambhir and Dhawan netted next to each other. Ashwin and Jadeja bowled with each other. Rohit and Ashwin batted one after the other. Bhuvneshwar did not bowl. Varun Aaron and Pankaj Singh could not be ruled out. You could tell India were not in a desirable situation when it comes to picking the XI, but at least they were back on the field, and laughing and joking at the end of the session.


ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

'Samson the future for India'

"He is a sensible batsman, adapts his game to the situation," said India A coach Abhay Sharma.

By Abhishek Purohit | ESPNcricinfo – Sat 2 Aug, 2014 5:30 AM IST

Sanju Samson is "definitely the future" for India, according to his India A fielding and wicketkeeping coach Abhay Sharma. Samson, who turns 20 in November, was the leading run-getter for India A in their victorious campaign in the quadrangular one-day series in Darwin, Australia, with 244 runs from seven matches.

"He is definitely the future for the country," Abhay told ESPNcricinfo. "As a batsman, he is a very sensible player. He understands situations and adapts his game to them. His innings against Australia A in the opening match was outstanding. He took us close in a game we had almost lost."

Samson came in at 70 for 4 in a chase of 253, and saw his side slip further to 84 for 6. He responded with an 81 that brought down the equation to 29 needed off 23 before he was last man out. Though he failed in the final, he guided India A home in successive chases before that with scores of 55 and 49, both unbeaten.

Samson, who has been prolific at Under-19 tournaments, also had a productive season with Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2014 with 339 runs at an average of 26.07 and a strike-rate of 124.17. Before that, he made 530 runs in the Ranji Trophy 2013-14 at 58.88. While he batted at No. 3 mostly for Royals, he moved down to No. 6 for India A in Darwin.

When asked if there was a case for making better use of Samson in the top order in the future, Abhay said his workload would have to be managed considering his dual utility as a batsman and a keeper. "Going forward, we will have to handle him very well, for he has to bat and keep too. He took that responsibility very well this time but we will have to work on him very carefully."

Abhay, a former Railways captain and wicketkeeper, said that Samson's keeping was also coming along quite well, and he was keen to learn. "His keeping is improving day by day. A little more work has to be done on a couple of technical things and constant monitoring is needed. He is a very good learner. He readily understands what I want to communicate and implements my plan. At times there is not even the need to speak to him and he will pick up even little signs. He has adapted very well to these conditions. A stumping he pulled off down the leg side was simply outstanding."

Abhay was also pleased with the standard of India A's ground fielding. The side claimed four run-outs in a match against the Australian National Performance Squad, and Abhay said that game stood out for him for the number of times India had found their target.

"We had 18 direct hits in that match, four of which resulted in run-outs. We had been working on target-hitting and it was great to see the intensity and momentum we created on the field. We even worked on slip catching on the second attempt when someone drops a chance the first time and Manoj (Tiwary) took one such catch in a game. It was very satisfying to see that."

ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

Anderson admitted to swearing at Jadeja

With one man's word against another, the case came down to lack of video evidence.

By Sidharth Monga | ESPNcricinfo – Sat 2 Aug, 2014 5:30 AM IST

James Anderson was let off on the Level 3 charge of pushing Ravindra Jadeja during the Trent Bridge Test, but he admitted to having abused Jadeja, pushing him and acting in breach of the spirit of cricket. He also threatened to break Jadeja's teeth, the BCCI's counsel contended while appealing the sentence earlier handed to Jadeja by match referee David Boon. That sentence was successfully overturned during the hearing on Friday in Southampton.

These were two different but overlapping cases. The BCCI counsel took part in the appeal against Jadeja's sentence, but the case involving Anderson was pursued by the ICC's lawyer, as is the protocol for Level 3 charges. The BCCI counsel didn't get a chance to cross-examine Anderson during that main case but did so during the Jadeja appeal. The cross-examination was intense and aggressive, say those present, and began with the BCCI counsel addressing Anderson using some of the swear words allegedly used by the player, catching him by surprise.

The incident took place as the players were walking off for lunch on the second day of the Trent Bridge Test. Anderson had appealed for a catch at the wicket against Jadeja with the first ball of the over, after which he was seen having a word with Jadeja. Umpire Bruce Oxenford's witness statement said he intervened and asked Anderson to stop chirping. The chirping, though, continued. Anderson didn't contest the charge that he called Jadeja a "f***ing p**ck" and a "f***ing c**t".

The duo shakes hands at the end of the Lord's Test.What happened next, though, in the corridor leading to the dressing rooms had two different versions. India contended that Anderson abused Jadeja once again, in reaction to which he half-turned, and was then allegedly pushed by Anderson. England claimed Anderson acted in self-defence as Jadeja allegedly turned aggressively at Anderson. However, Anderson didn't contest MS Dhoni's statement as witness that he abused Jadeja again, and asked him to "go to his f***ing dressing room". This is also when he is said to have threatened to break Jadeja's teeth. Anderson was asked if he thought his actions were against the spirit of cricket. He said, "Yes."

With one man's word against another, the case came down to lack of video evidence of what happened in the corridor. The staircase outside the corridor, leading to the playing field, was monitored by the ACSU cameras. The staircase connecting the corridor and the dressing room, too, was monitored by the ICC cameras. There was a webcam in the corridor, but it was not ICC's, and it wasn't working on that day.

Anderson, who has gained a reputation of being overly aggressive on the field, has, however, little history of misconduct on his official record. He has been charged only once under the ICC's Code of Conduct, back in 2007.

Indeed this charge, too, wouldn't have been laid had England's attempts at negotiations with India succeeded. India's coach Duncan Fletcher testified during the hearing that Paul Downton, managing director of England cricket, tried to convince India to lay a Level 2 charge. The judicial commissioner Gordon Lewis, who presided over the case via video link from Australia, heard that Downton tried to convince Fletcher against taking such strong action. Fletcher said that when he didn't agree, Downton threatened him with a counter charge against Jadeja - a threat that was eventually carried out.

Once the BCCI insisted on laying the charge, it became the ICC's responsibility to prosecute. However, it didn't have enough evidence to get the verdict it sought. Lack of video evidence might have got Anderson off the Level 3 charge but what has raised eyebrows is that there has been no reprimand or a lower sentence. That, though, might be explained in the detailed verdict.

ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

Anderson and Jadeja found not guilty

The judicial commissioner reached his decisions after a marathon six-hour hearing.

By ESPNcricinfo staff | ESPNcricinfo – Fri 1 Aug, 2014 5:30 AM IST

James Anderson and Ravindra Jadeja have been found not guilty of breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during their alleged altercation at Trent Bridge by judicial commissioner Gordon Lewis at the hearing in Southampton on Friday.

The game can finally go on in the right spirit, eh? (AP)After a day of hearing evidence and submissions from both sides it was said the verdict could take up to 48 hours to be delivered but in the end commissioner Lewis, who had joined via Skype from Australia, needed a matter of minutes to come to his decision.

Anderson will now be available for the final two Tests of the series, which is level at 1-1, including his home match at Old Trafford that starts on August 7. If Anderson had been guilty he would have faced a ban of at least two Tests.

Had Anderson been found guilty he could have appealed but now that is not required by him as the only appeal against the verdict can come from the ICC chief executive.

"The Judicial Commissioner reached his decisions following a six-hour hearing, which took place via videoconference," the ICC said. "Witnesses, including some Indian and English players, provided evidence and were cross-examined by the respective legal counsels."

There was no official reaction from the ECB or BCCI on Friday evening, but Anderson's county, Lancashire, were relieved to know their hometown star would be available.

GREAT BOOST FOR ENGLAND

"It's a great boost for us and a great boost for England," Mike Watkinson, Lancashire's director of cricket, said. "Having an Old Trafford Test and Jimmy not being available for a reason like that would be unthinkable really.

"Following the victory and the way he performed, he's coming here with a bit of spice on the game which were all looking forward to. He looked fired up in the last game and we've seen he has little peaks and troughs like anyone else does."

Anderson was facing a Level 3 charge for allegedly abusing and pushing Jadeja at the start of the lunch break on the second day of the first Test at Trent Bridge. The charge had been laid by India's team manager Sunil Dev and was countered by a Level 2 charge laid by England manager Phil Neale against Jadeja.

Jadeja was alleged to have turned towards Anderson in a threatening manner and had originally been found guilty by match referee David Boon at a previous hearing and fined 50% of his match fee. After applying legal pressure India were allowed to lodge an appeal, which was heard today, and Jadeja was also found not guilty.

The ECB and Anderson were represented in the hearings by Nick De Marco while Adam Lewis QC represented Jadeja. The hearings were also attended by the two team managers, the ECB's managing director Paul Downton, the BCCI's Sundar Raman and MV Sridhar, the ICC's General Manager - Cricket, Geoff Allardice, and the ICC's Ethics and Regulatory lawyer, Sally Clark.