India played like Bangladesh

NOTTINGHAM: Former England captain Geoffrey Boycott says India played like Bangladesh in parts of the second Test at Trent Bridge and has predicted another England victory in the next match at Edgbaston beginning August 10. 


Boycott, in his column for Daily Telegraph, wrote India are unlikely to improve in the next Test and their opposite number looks a much more determined unit. 


"I don't see how India can recover and beat England. It doesn't matter who they bring in. The Indian batsmen don't like the short ball and the Indian seamers do not have the pace and intensity of England's bowlers so come to Edgbaston all you England supporters and see Strauss's team win again," he wrote. 


"There were times at Trent Bridge when India looked like Bangladesh in disguise. Their ground fielding was atrocious, their bowling was wayward and lacking thought. 


"The field placings were non-existent and their batting apart from Dravid in the first innings and Tendulkar in the second was hopeless." 


Boycott was all praise for the Trent Bridge wicket which provided assistance to both batsmen and the bowlers. India could not bat well but England's 544 in their second innings is a testimony to the surface offering enough for the batsmen. 


"Overall it was a fantastic cricket match. It was a great advert for the game and a superb victory by England. 


"Cricket should be played on more pitches like this. They give the bowlers an opportunity to get into the game rather than flat surfaces where batsmen plunder mountains of runs. 


"There were some great individual performances. But don't forget for two days it was nip and tuck who was going to win the game. With India having a lead of 67 on the third morning, if Kevin Pietersen and Ian Bell had got out cheaply, Dhoni's team may well have won." 


Boycott said England won because they played with the right attitude. 


"But the difference between these two teams is England want it more. They are determined to be number one in the world and nothing is going to stop them. 


"With India, you get the impression they have turned up and are going through the motions. That is not good enough against this England team."