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Summary The Test match being played at Oval between India and England was disturbed by the rain.
The intervention came to the delight of the Indian team who looked lack-luster once again.England won the toss and decided to bat inspite of a bit of dampness evident on the pitch by virtue of floating black spots. But the rain wiped out play after lunch on the opening day at The Oval, but during the two hours possible Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook formed a solid platform against a very disappointing India attack as England reached 75 without loss.This was as poorly as India had bowled all series as they wasted whatever help was on offer under overcast skies. Defeat here will leave them third in the world rankings but its difficult to see them limiting Englands in-form batting line-up with a better forecast for Friday.Although a couple of early boundaries came to third man they were played with soft hands by Strauss and Cook.There was an alarming lack of intensity from India, both with the ball and in the field, as they failed to make any use of the overcast conditions. Sreesanths first spell was poor with too many deliveries on leg stump which ensured the scoreboard kept ticking over with Cook, for the time being at least, taking his average over 50.The rain is unlikely to give away today and this is a blessing in disguise for India. They will have the opportunity to exploit fresh conditions tomorrow once again if only they come out with a better attitude.
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