England quicks trounce India to take Lord's series opener

James Anderson and Stuart Broad combined to bowl England to a series-opening win, and in so doing spoiled a distinctly Indian party on People's Monday at Lord's.

James Anderson, right, celebrates taking the wicket of Sachin Tendulkar for th sixth time in seven Tests as the Indian batsman fails to reach his milestone of 100 international centuries at Lord's. EnShow more

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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