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Following the marvellous victory at Nagpur, India would like to believe that they have gained the upper hand in the series for the moment. Add to it Australia’s injury woes as well as the training debacle at Kotla – they had to skip proper practice due to wet pitches – and India are in with a realistically great chance of going 2-1 up in the series. That said, they need to exercise caution. India have often stumbled in the recent past due to complacency, the signs of which were there during the closing stages in Nagpur. Their lethargic approach meant the last Aussie pair managed to get some good batting practice. However, if the Indians do get their act right for the second time running, Australia could be in for a real tough time.

What the Australians need at the present moment is an uplifting effort from one of their seniors. A century from either among Ponting, Hussey or Watson can turn things around for them. One exceptional performance is often enough to ensure a side’s win in a one-dayer. More than their batting though, it is their bowling to which they need to give some serious thought. Now that Brett Lee is unavailable, Mitchell Johnson has to take over the responsibility of the senior bowling pro. True, he himself is not 100 per cent fit. However, considering the state of his team, he will be expected to rise above the pain and perform.

Ben Hilfenhaus found the going pretty tough at Nagpur, which means the other pacer in the squad Doug Bollinger might get a chance, so also may Moises Henriques, who could replace Adam Voges, in an effort to strengthen the all-round department. Peter Siddle and Nathan Hauritz have been Australia’s two best bowlers on display so far and their side would want them to continue in the same vein. If anything, Hauritz will be expected to be slightly more attacking.

Probably the only good news the Australian team has received in recent hours is that Tim Paine’s replacement Graham Manou will arrive in time for the Delhi match. That he also has some international experience is an additional plus. But expecting something extraordinary from him would be asking for too much, as he is sure to suffer from some amount of jetlag. Even so, the fact that he will available itself is good enough for Australia considering the crisis situation.

In sharp contrast, India are suddenly looking like a winning combination. With Gambhir, Dhoni and Raina among the runs, India managed to put up a rock-solid batting performance at Nagpur. Add to it, the ominous cameos played by Yuvraj Singh and Virender Sehwag and the fact that Tendulkar has yet to reach double figures in the tournament. The opposition camp would be feeling rather jittery. One has to keep in mind though that it was just one game where everything clicked. The Aussies would undoubtedly come back hard at the Indians despite all their troubles.

The home side thus needs to carry on from where they finished off on Wednesday. The low, slow Kotla pitch will offer a tougher challenge and the batters need to be prepared to adapt to the conditions. Bowling wise as well the Indians must stick to their guns. Now that Ishant Sharma has rediscovered his rhythm, he should also realize what suits him best. Praveen Kumar has to just continue doing what he did so well at Nagpur, get the early breakthroughs as well as dry up the runs. The temporary spearhead of the bowling attack, Ashish Nehra, is going through one of his better patches and India would hope it lasts for a longer duration, since his presence makes the bowling line-up all the more potent. Regarding Harbhajan Singh, it remains to be seen how he is dealt with – both by the team management and the Aussie batsmen, who are getting increasing confident against him.

As mentioned in the very beginning, all the pointers suggest India have the upper hand. But while they do possess the better arsenal, the men in blue still have to go out and perform. How well India exploit this golden opportunity will in all certainty determine the fate of the game.

Stuart Broad of England takes a catch of Australia's Simon Katich in 2009 Ashes npower Test Series Second Test Second Day

England dominated day 2 of the second NPower Ashes Test match, with a strong bowling performance that has left them well placed with Australia needing 79 runs to avoid the follow on with only two first innings wickets in hand.

Andrew Strauss failed to add to his overnight score – and England as a team didn’t look like adding many more after losing 3 wickets in three consecutive overs. A near half century partnership from no 10 and 11 James Anderson and Graham Onions saw England move well past 400.

After that the day was England’s. Poor batting cost the tourists dear, and England will move into day 3 well on top with the possibility of winning their first Ashes test at Lords since 1934.

Strauss’ resistance didn’t last much longer into day two, bowled leaving a ball off Ben Hilfenhaus – not adding to his overnight score of 161. Graham Swann came and went in the blink of an eye – edging the ball straight to Ricky Ponting in the slips, the Australian captain taking the easiest catch you’re ever going to see in the slips, Siddle picking up his second wicket of the innings.

As if things couldn’t get any worse for England – they did. After previously edging a ball just past the stumps, Broad then chopped on the following ball – England had lost 3 wickets in 3 overs, and were now in danger of not making 400 – despite Andrew Strauss targeting a “minimum” of 450 on the eve of Day 2.

England’s innings wasn’t over yet though, James Anderson partnered by Graham Onions frustrated the Australian attack, passing the 400 mark with a relative amount of ease. Mitchell Johnson’s boundary problems weren’t confined to day 1 either – Anderson striking him for successive fours. The partnership fell just shy of 50 – but it was much needed after a disastrous start to day 2 for England, all out for 425.

England got off to the best possible start, after previously crashing Anderson to the cover boundary – Phillip Hughes gloved the ball off an attempted hook to keeper Matt Prior. England’s start got even better when Ponting inside edged the ball onto his pad, that carried to Andrew Strauss in the slips – Australia slipping to 10/2. Ponting was unhappy with the decision, the bat appear to hit the boot – rather than the ball. However, hawkeye suggested that the ball would’ve been crashing into leg stump – the wrong method to the right decision.

Australia survived the rest of the morning session, and a 4 over stint after lunch before a short burst of rain came. Another short burst of overs was followed by another shower. The teams came back out again at 3:40pm. Australia’s Simon Katich and Michael Hussey worked on building Australia’s score. Although Hussey can count himself lucky that a mis-timed hook shot landed wide at deep backward square. Australia entered tea on 87/2.

After a slow period after tea, Simon Katich miss-pulled Graham Onions to fine leg, Stuart Broad running around took a superb diving catch to dismiss the Australian – Katich falling two short of a half century.

Andrew Flintoff removed Michael Hussey with a 95 mph delivery that Hussey left, the ball did very little – maybe bouncing a little less than Mr Cricket was expecting – but nonetheless – a superb delivery – Hussey going for 51. England’s day got better when – the following ball – Michael Clarke flicked a delivery from James Anderson to Alastair Cook at short mid wicket. With that, both batsmen at the crease hadn’t faced the ball.

And things went from bad – to worse, for the tourists. Marcus North chopping James Anderson onto his stumps, Australia floundering at 139/6. A procession became a rout when Mitchell Johnson hooked Stuart Broad down to Alastair Cook at deep backward square.

Another one – this time Haddin. Australia still needing 78 to avoid the follow on, Brad Haddin pulling the ball to mid wicket. The floodlights – causing shadows – we enough for the umpires to offer the batsmen the light, and Australia naturally took it.

The visitors end day two in deep trouble, the first three overs of the day aside – its been all England. An ill-disciplined batting performance has left their tail needing to do some serious work on just saving the follow on. England will look to skittle Australia out tomorrow, and then hammer home their advantage with possibly enforcing the follow on.

Andrew Strauss‘ unbeaten 161 gave England an excellent start in the 2nd nPower test against Australia. Adding 196 for the opening wicket with Alastair Cook, England dominated the opening exchanges with some very ordinary bowling from Mitchell Johnson in particular.

Australia pegged England back in the final session, taking 4 English wickets as their middle order struggled against the swinging ball. England ended the day 364/6 with the game firmly in the balance.

The first action of the day came from Andrew Strauss, crashing a short, wide delivery from Mitchell Johnson to the cover boundary, two balls later Johnson drifted onto Strauss’ leg stump, and the ball got the same treatment, this time flicked to the mid wicket boundary.

Alastair Cook was then fortunate to survive, a fuller ball from Hilfenhaus edged just to the left of a diving Ricky Ponting. It was Johnson who was struggling however, in a repeat of his previous over, Strauss crashed a short wide ball square, then the next ball Johnson over compensated by bowling a full-ish ball on Strauss’ pads – again the ball was clipped behind square for four.

It wasn’t only Johnson who was being hit for boundaries, a Hilfenhaus short ball just sat up nicely for Cook to pull for four. England passed the 50 mark with little trouble after 15 overs. Johnson continued to bowl some real loose deliveries – which – like the rest of the of them – got the treatment for Alastair Cook. In 7 overs Johnson was going at nearly 7 runs an over – and had conceeded 10 boundaries.

Australia's Ben Hilfenhaus (C) celebrates taking the wicket of England's Ravi Bopara (L) in 2009 Ashes npower Test Series Second Test First Day

Peter Siddle was causing problems using the slope to move the ball away from the left handers. Cook in particular left a couple of deliveries that were mighty close to his stumps. Without success from the other end, Ponting turned to spinner Nathan Hauritz to try and make the breakthrough. England reached 100 without loss off 24.3 overs.

England continued their dominance right up until the lunchbreak – the Australian seamers struggling with their accuracy – and England entering lunch 126 without loss – without question England’s session.

After the break control was still illuding Ricky Ponting, Cook taking on Nathan Hauritz with a slog sweep over mid wicket for 4. Australia began to make mistakes, Ben Hilfenhaus bought an edge from Andrew Strauss, only to hear the no ball call from the umpire – Brad Haddin dropping the ball aswell could do little to help his confidence. Andrew Strauss bought up his 50 two balls later as England passed 150 without blemish.

If things weren’t bad enough for Ricky Ponting, they got worse when Nathan Hauritz dislocated a finger on his spinning hand attempting to claim a return catch off Andrew Strauss , Marcus North was rushed into the attack mid over.

England simply kept motoring along, as Mitchell Johnson‘s return to the attack bought him the same struggles as in the morning session. But as normally happens with wayward bowling, Johnson got one on the straight and narrow, Cook was trapped in front LBW for 95, England were 196/1.

Ravi Bopara came out and played his shots, but his aggression didn’t last very long, as he was too trapped LBW by Ben Hilfenhaus – 18 off 19 balls – a whole lot of nothing. Two out swinging deliveries followed by one which holds its line.

Hiflenhaus immeadiatly caused Kevin Pietersen problems with the swinging ball, Pietersen playing and missing a couple of times in his first over. On the stroke of tea, Pietersen was caught all ends up by a short ball, an attempted hook that – in the end – was played so badly and uncontrollably, it didn’t fall to a fielder. With Pietersen safely off strike, Andrew Strauss struck a three through backward point to bring up his hundred off 178 balls.

Peter Siddle struck after tea, a feather edge from a driving Kevin Pietersen, caught begind, 267/3 and Australia were beginning to creep back into the game. Siddle continued to trouble – Strauss flashing at one that flew through Michael Hussey at gully for 4.

Paul Collingwood was unable to build on his match saving knock at Cardiff, advancing down the wicket against Michael Clarke, he could only skew a ball to Peter Siddle. Matt Prior fell quickly – likewise at Cardiff – to the in swinger off Mitchell Johnson through the gate. Australia weren’t done there, Andrew Flintoff edging Hilfenhaus to Ricky Ponting – England now floundering on 333/6 and struggling against the swinging ball.

Andrew Strauss passed 150 – as he and Stuart Broad batted through to the end of the day , Strauss 161 not out, England 364/6 – the game in the balance once again.

Australian continued their dominance on day 4 of the first Ashes test in Cardiff. Building on their 44 run lead, Marcus North and Brad Haddin both hit centuries.

England were sloppy, poor fielding was opitimised when Alastair Cook threw a ball in from the boundary, there was a very good chance of running out Haddin at the bowlers end, despite plenty of time, Anderson was not stationed by the stumps, and the opportunity was missed.

After lunch Haddin broke loose, the Australians looking for quick runs in time for a declaration. Also in mind was the weather, which was in danger of curtailing the fourth days play.

Haddin eventually cracked on to Ravi Bopara at deep mid wicket, and with that he departed for 121, Ricky Ponting declared on 674 – a lead of 239, with Marcus North not out for 125.

England returned to a grim scene – not only their position in the game, the clouds were looming, and the floodlights were on. They were tentative to start, after hooking him for four, Alastair Cook played across the line of a straight ball, and Mitchell Johnson had his man – England were 13/1.

The lights were on, but unfortunately for England – there was no-one at home. Ravi Bopara was unfortunate to be given out LBW, off the ground, the ball struck him well above the knee roll. Billy Doctrove didn’t agree, Ben Hilfenhaus had his wicket and England were starring down the barrell at 17/2. With a hint of rain, and the floodlights doing their bit to keep the players out there on a grim afternoon, England headed in for tea at 20/2.

And that ultimately – was that. The day was called off for the day. The weather seems much better for tomorrow, and England have their work cut-out. They still trial by 219 runs, and with nothing to play for – other than the draw – they must be moderately attacking and avoid the awful performance in Adelaide where they scored 60 runs in two sessions when trying to bat out for the draw.

A dominant 189 run partnership between Ricky Ponting and Simon Katich swung the pendulum firmly in Australia’s favour in day 2 of the First npower Ashes Test, Cardiff.

England amassed an extra 99 runs in the morning session before finally being bowled out for 435. Australia’s start was electric, with Phil Hughes hitting a run a ball 30 before lunch. Andrew Flintoff eventually had him caught behind, but after that the play was all Australia as Simon Katich and Ricky Ponting hit centuries as Australia ended the day on 249-1, trailing England’s total by 186.

England’s start to the day was very positive. Beginning on 336/7 Stuart Broad struck two delightful fours off Peter Siddle, one a scorcher past mid off. The Nottinghamshire man met an unlucky end to his innings, a ball from Mitchell Johnson hit the underside of his thigh pad and dragged back onto his stumps.

Broad’s demise didn’t stem the scoring however, Graham Swann looked to be forceful, and keep the scoreboard ticking over, night-watchman James Anderson also got in on the act as the pair pushed three’s to the long square boundaries at the SWALEC Stadium. The positivity forced Ricky Ponting to spread sweepers on both the square boundary.

England’s aggression forced the Australian skipper to bring on Nathan Hauritz. And no doubt to the delight of batsman Graham Swann – an no doubt all of the England camp, Hauritz’s first ball spun sharply off the pitch, past the keeper for four byes.

Undeterred, Swann went after Hauritz – striking two consecutive boundaries down the ground followed by an audacious reverse sweep that went to the third man boundary. Swann and Anderson’s 50 run partnership coming up in just 38 balls as England were racing along at 7 an over in the morning session.

James Anderson fell trying to hit Hauritz over the top, and Monty Panesar after struggling for a short while, eventually edging the off-spinner to Ricky Ponting a gully.

Phil Hughes got off to a flyer at the beginning of the Australian innings, Stuart Broad imparticular on the receiving end of Hughes’ aggression as Australia made it to 39-0 in a short spell before the lunch break.

Immediately after lunch Andrew Flintoff was bought into the attack bowling around the wicket to Hughes. The over was lively, short pitched, but to Hughes’ credit – he evaded the short ball well.

A short while later Flintoff forced opener Simon Katich to punt one back at him, he stuck his giant claw in the direction of the ball, and agonisingly for him and for England, the ball popped out and down to the ground.

But the breakthrough finally came when Flintoff had Hughes get an inside edge through to ‘keeper Matt Prior who took a smart catch diving away to his right – Hughes departing for 36.

In the following over Stuart Broad had close LBW appeals against both Katich and Ricky Ponting. Katich got a feather of an inside edge on his, and Ponting had himself well outside the line of the off stump – but Broad, England and the fans, were defiantly fired up.

The pair settled in for the afternoon session, as England turned to both spinners Graham Swann and Monty Panesar without fortune. On the stroke of tea Ponting scored a 2 off Broad to take himself to 11,001 test runs – joining the select group of Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar and Allan Border.

Simon Katich went past 50 as Australia reached 143-1 at tea, the Flintoff/Hughes battle aside – Australia’s session.

It was much of the same after the break, the pair bought up their 100 partnership of 179 balls. Andrew Strauss tried every option available to him, but Ponting and Katich stood firm as Australia bought the 200 up. The run rate continued at 3.5 an over and England struggled to get any movement with the ball, or much life out of the pitch.

On the stroke of stumps Simon Katich bought up his hundred off 214 balls, and Ponting likewise off 155 balls. Australia ended the day in a dominant position – only 1 wicket down, and trailing by only 186 runs.

A late Peter Siddle brace gave Australia the upper hand at the end of day one of the first Ashes Test at Cardiff. Andrew Flintoff and Matt Prior had put on 86 in just 15.5 overs before Siddle removed them both on the stroke of stumps – England ended the day on 336-7.

England captain Andrew Strauss won the toss, and chose to bat – hoping that the selection of two spinners would come into their favour come days 4 and 5. Australia took the shock selection to drop Stuart Clark and to play both Ben Hilfenhaus and off-spinner Nathan Hauritz.

Alastair Cook fell in a lapse in concentration – and to a great catch too. Pushing at a ball off Hilfenhaus around a foot wide of his off stump, Michael Hussey was the great full recipient of a superb catch diving to his right.

The bowling of Mitchell Johnson and Siddle imparticular was very encouraging for Australia. Both got some early life out of the pitch, Strauss’ dismissal a short ball that climbed on him from Johnson that he could only fend to Michael Clarke.

Ravi Bopara’s dismissal showed his inexperience. After struggling during the morning session – being hit in the throat of Siddle and suriving chipping a slower ball just over the in field. It was another Johnson slower ball that did for the Essex batsman. You would hope that his scores against the West Indies are a sign of his quality – rather than the lack there of, of the opposition. But Bopara looked uncomfortable throughout on one of the more passive pitches that we will play on this series.

At lunch England were 97/3 – The Australians the happier of the two sides going into lunch – England with work to do in their first innings.

In the afternoon session Australia turned to spin, in the form of Nathan Hauritz and Michael Clarke. Despite the odd miss-sweep from Pietersen England looked comfortable, with scoreboard ticking along – albeit slowly – England were just glad to gain regroup after losing wickets regularly in the first session.

Hauritz struggled – but first day is always going to be difficult – even on a pitch that will ultimately offer spin for the bowlers. Ricky Pontings inability to keep a hold on the game was apparent, boy how he misses Shane Warne right now.

Pietersen survived a huge LBW shout of Ben Hilfenhaus. But it was Collingwood who was first to fall, snicking Hilfenhaus to wicket keeper Brad Haddin, who took a confidence boosting catch diving away to his right after two similar drops in the warm up game at new road. The partnership worth 138.

Pietersen fell soon after, pre-meditating a sweep of Hauritz to a ball that was far too wide to sweep, the result edge clipped his helmet before balooning up to Simon Katich at short leg.

Andrew Flintoff and Matt Prior began the rebuilding work, playing agressively against the spin before the new ball, and the seamers after it. Matt Prior raced along to 50 from 54 balls as the pair kept the run-rate ticking over rather nicely.

But Siddle’s late spell just before the end of the game accounted for both of them – Flintoff dragging on and a lovely in swinger to remove Prior. Australia ended the day the happier side after being asked to field, needing only three more England wickets in the morning.

The Australian captain Ricky Pointing faces a tough proposition this time round, as he will lead the Australian team perhaps for one last time to face the English men in their own soil. This is going to be one grueling encounter that will make test cricket come alive, as both the teams will fight for the crown of the Ashes. Things will not be that easy for the Australian team and hoping for a clean sweep of the series this time round may not be an easy task for them. The Australians will miss their premier fast bowler Bret Lee, who is out of this match due to an injury. However, there are many players in the both the teams who can make a difference to this match with some brilliant performances on their parts. The favorite as usual is the Australian team but do not leave out a rejuvenated England team who are looking at this opportunity to settle scores with the Aussies.

It is important to watch out for Kevin Pietersen, one player that the Aussies fear the most. Flintoff has recovered from his injury and is looking forward to a piece of the Aussie pie. Monty Panesar along with Graeme Swann adds that spinning edge to the English line up with a solid pace attack comprising of Anderson and Broad. Kevin Pietersen scored an impressive 963 runs at an average of 53.50 in the last Ashes series and will definitely be on the hit list of the Australian bowlers. However, his Achilles injury is threatening to derail the plans of England winning the Ashes this time round.

If there is one Australian bowler that the English batsman would want to avoid is the dangerous Mitchell Johnson. Perhaps, the most frightening bowler playing the game right now he has both pace and swing in his armor. His performance might be the Australia’s success in this Ashes series. The Australian batting line up is looking very strong with the likes of Pointing, Hughes, North, Hussey, and Clarke. Getting them out twice in a test match might be a tough proposition for the English bowlers. In addition, do not rule out the contributions of Hauritz and Hilfenhaus. They are extremely competent bowlers with the skills to derail the English batting lineup. Without Bret lee the Australian pace attack might look weak but never count them out.

The Cardiff wicket has been newly laid and that makes the venue unknown to both the teams. This is the first time that an International match will be played on this strip. Therefore, England might not get the advantage of the home conditions in the first test match. However, with the crowds out there to back the English men, there is definite advantage for them in their home soil. It is going to be an exciting match in front of a sell out crowd that is sure to enjoy every bit of action that will be dished out to them.