Bob Woolmer was right. The Indian batting greats are seriously suspect against the ball that swings or seams in. After today there should be little doubt about that. Starting at 136/1 India were soon 149/4 with Dravid ( 40), Jaffer ( 81), VVS (first ball duck) back in the pavilion. 

Dravid was the fist to go, given lbw to one from Hoggard reverse swinging in sharply. The ball would have missed leg stump and Aleem Dar got this one wrong. There isn't much to complain about as Flintoff and Harmison got poor decisions too. Jaffer was next, edging one to slip that swung a fraction away. VVS was out first ball to one that swung in from a good length to catch him plumb in front. This is the third time in succession he has been out to one coming in. He was bowled by inswingers in both ninnings at Karachi. If he wishes to avoid an abrupt end to his career he has to move his feet better early in his innings and score big very soon. He has had his chances and should have no complaints if dropped after another failure.

Sachin missed one from Panesar that turned just a fraction to be plumb in front for 16( 176/5). Sachin, somehow, failed to pick it. Dhoni and Irfan fell cheaply too and it was soon 190/7. Kaif and Kumble dug in to take the score to 318 when Kumble fell for 58. Kaif was bowled by an absolute beauty from Panesar that ripped after pitching on leg stump and knocked back his off stump ( 322/9). England now have a turbanator of their own. He is currently better than ours!

A word about the English bowlers. They bowled with great control and application. Hoggard swung the ball consistently and kept the batsmen guessing constantly ( 30-13-57-5). Harmison and Flintoff kept the pressure from the other end. Monty Panesar bowled beautifully and has been the best spinner on display this test. That says a lot considering the others are the great Anil Kumble and the fading Harbhajan.  Kumble is clearly in decline and batsmen do not fear him anymore. Bhajji bowls too far outside the off stump and is predictable. Monty has an orthodox action and bowls with a nice loop. He also bowls a lot straighter than Bhajji and the rewards are there for all to see ( 41.4-19-72-2). His 2 wickets were Tendulker and Kaif ( the ball of the match so far).

I am glad to see Kaif get runs. He has worked hard and deserved his chance. He struggled initially but hung in there and played some good shots. He used his feet desicively, and that made all the difference. Both Kumble and Kaif were dropped early on. I cannot imagine were we would be had those chances been taken.

You have to hand it to England. They have shown a lot of character and discipline and the current state of the match should surprise nobody. India, in comparison, have shown the courage worthy of a mouse. No surprise, then, that they find themselves in a trap!

Usually, the Indian crowd goes silent when Sachin is out. Today, his dismissal was met by a raucous roar as Dhoni emerged to bat. The wheels of Indian cricket are slowly turning!