England and India Set to Clash in Lord's Test

The epic showdown to determine the top spot in global test cricket is just a few hours away as England host India at Lord's in the first five-day fixture. There is a lot to like about this clash as the world champion Indians – seemingly invincible for so many years – face off against Andrew Strauss' England side.

The English bookmakers have indicated that the home side are the favourites to win the series at this stage and there is a price of 6/5 being floated right now. India to take the series trades at 2/1 and it looks like there really isn't much between the two sides.

Graeme Swann, who seems to do all the talking for England these days, indicates that the English side can't focus too much on Sachin Tendulkar as playing against one specific player in such a talented side would certainly expose England. There is plenty of momentum for the home team after capturing the Ashes in Australia before a sharp exit from the World Cup which was likely due to the lengthy one day series following the Ashes.

Swann also went on to express that, while the fixture won't rival the ashes, it is about as important a match they come from a practical perspective. "Whether it will be tougher than Australia is hard to say; going to Australia and winning 3-1 there was probably the toughest series I've played in."

A three match series against Sri Lanka was heavily-affected by rain.

Punters will find Trott, Strauss and Cook as the unsurprising favourites to headline the batting for England. If Strauss can set in and replicate the type of form he showed for Somerset against the Indians in a four-day match last week.

The big question is whether Tendulkar can finally break his duck of never achieving a century at Lord's.