LONDON // James Anderson and Stuart Broad combined to bowl England to a series-opening win yesterday, and in so doing spoiled a distinctly Indian party on People's Monday at Lord's.
This was the 100th Test between England and India. Few of those matches have been more engrossing, and seldom has it been greeted by an atmosphere like this.
England's home fans were in the minority, both in numbers and voice. That is hardly a new phenomenon against cricket's best followed nation at most grounds, but it is at Lord's.
More than a third of tickets at Lord's are only usually available to members of MCC, who own the ground. But demand to see the final day was so great that much of the Tavern and Warner stands - which are usually only open to ticket applications from members - were commandeered by the people.
Kevin Pietersen, the man of the match for his unbeaten 202 in the first innings, compared the atmosphere to the 2005 Ashes Test at Old Trafford, when an estimated 10,000 people were locked out on the final day.
Thousands suffered the same fate here. According to gatemen at Lord's, people started queuing at the North Gate at 3am (6am UAE time). By 9.30am stewards had been posted to the St John's Wood Tube station, which is the nearest stop to Lord's, to tell alighting passengers there was no chance of them getting in.
"I left home at 5.45am," Shan Kandasamy, an India supporter who lives in west London but made it to the ground for 6.45am to avoid disappoinment, said.
"I am very glad I got in and got the chance to see the 'Holy Trinity' bat, which is what we call Rahul [Dravid], Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman now.
"I was hoping Dravid and Laxman would be able to bat until lunch, then we could see Sachin bat and get a hundred."
As India crumbled in the wake of fine pace bowling from Anderson and Broad, Tendulkar could only manage 12 on what could prove to be his final appearance at this ground.
The hurt felt by his failure to get that elusive Lord's century was not solely felt by Indian supporters.
The Mumbai batsman had been welcomed to the wicket by on overwhelming ovation both times he went to the wicket in this Test, and there was a groundswell of good will towards him from England fans.
Tendulkar, who owns a property near to Lord's, had spent the month leading up to this series practicing at the ground.
His help during that time was locally sourced, including Monty Panesar, the occasional England spin-bowler, and a Scotsman who is a staff coach at Lord's, Alan Duncan.
"I was equally gutted for him after having the opportunity to help him with his preparation for the series to see how easy he makes the game look, but not get a hundred at Lord's in possible his last appearance at Lord's," Duncan said.
"I even think every English fan wanted to see Sachin score a hundred at Lord's but more importantly an England victory. But I'm sure he will achieve his hundred [international] hundreds in this series."
India have earned a reputation for themselves as slow starters to series, and MS Dhoni, their captain, is sure they can bounce back here.
"It is a long series, with three more matches to go, and I think there is a lot of excited cricket left in this series," he said.
Scorecard
England 1st innings 474-8 decl.
India 1st innings 286 all out
India, 2nd innings (overnight 80-1)
Dravid c Prior b Anderson 36
Laxman c Bell b Anderson 56
Gambhir lbw b Swann 22
Tendulkar lbw b Anderson 12
Raina c Prior b Anderson 78
Dhoni c Prior b Tremlett 16
Harbhajan c Tremlett b Anderson 12
Kumar b Broad 2
Zaheer not out 0
Sharma lbw b Broad 1
Extras 2b, 6lb, 6nb 14
Total (all out, 96.3 overs) 261
Fall of wickets: 2-94; 3-131; 4-135; 5-165; 6-225; 7-243; 8-256; 9-260; 10-261;
Bowling: Anderson 28-7-65-5; Tremlett 21-4-44-1; Broad 20.3-4-57-3; Swann 22-3-64-1; Trott 2-0-11-0; Pietersen 3-0-12-0;
England win by 196 runs.
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How being social media savvy can improve your well being
Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.
As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.
Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.
Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.
Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.
However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.
“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.
People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.
Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
FIXTURES
Thu Mar 15 – West Indies v Afghanistan, UAE v Scotland
Fri Mar 16 – Ireland v Zimbabwe
Sun Mar 18 – Ireland v Scotland
Mon Mar 19 – West Indies v Zimbabwe
Tue Mar 20 – UAE v Afghanistan
Wed Mar 21 – West Indies v Scotland
Thu Mar 22 – UAE v Zimbabwe
Fri Mar 23 – Ireland v Afghanistan
The top two teams qualify for the World Cup
Classification matches
The top-placed side out of Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong or Nepal will be granted one-day international status. UAE and Scotland have already won ODI status, having qualified for the Super Six.
Thu Mar 15 – Netherlands v Hong Kong, PNG v Nepal
Sat Mar 17 – 7th-8th place playoff, 9th-10th place playoff
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
Mobile phone packages comparison
