Sehwag anchors Indian innings at Nottingham A century from Virender Sehwag has given India some backbone on the first day of the second Test against England at Trent Bridge. When bad light ended play early after 66 overs, India had reached 210 for four, with Sehwag out for 106 and Sourav Ganguly unbeaten on 29. Wasim Jaffer was Hoggard's first victim and Rahul Dravid (13) got a perfect outswinger and edged it to slip. Tendulkar stayed with Sehwag until lunch, but on 34, he played on to Dominic Cork. Sehwag reached his highest score in Tests - 106 (183 balls, 18 fours) - when Craig White dismissed him, getting Sehwag to play around a ball that was essentially just full and straight. Ganguly and VVS Laxman, together at the close of play, played elegantly, the Indian skipper reaching 29 and Laxman getting 22 - both striking four boundaries in the course of their innings - before the light meters curtailed play.

Hoggard is the best bowler in England, says Sehwag Virender Sehwag, India's centurion on day one of the second Test at Trent Bridge, praised England's Matthew Hoggard for his bowling performance, while adding that England might have been disappointed not to take more wickets. "I have never seen the ball swing like that and England could have done better," Sehwag told reporters. "I knew I could get a hundred if I could stay at the wicket." Of England's pace bowling spearhead, Matthew Hoggard, Sehwag said, "He is the best bowler in England and the best bowler in this Test." Asked about the constant comparisons between him and Sachin Tendulkar, Sehwag said, "I am very happy because Sachin is a great batsman, I did copy him and so I don't mind people comparing us. The only difference between us is on the scoreboard - there are 27 centuries difference." Hoggard, who recently rose to fifth in the PriceWaterhouseCoopers Test bowling rankings, admitted that the conditions at Trent Bridge made it very difficult to control the movement of the ball. "When it does that much it's very hard to find the right line and length - it was swinging from off-stump but not from leg. Sometimes you can have too much swing, although I would like to put the conditions in a suitcase and carry them everywhere with me," said Hoggard at the end of the first day's play. "Everybody bowled tight, and I think it's just a matter of time before they start nicking the edges and providing chances," added Hoggard, who took two wickets for 54 runs in 21 overs.

Essex awaits the Indians Essex, it seems, cannot wait to host the Indians at Chelmsford next week. Aside from the cricketing excitement, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Andy Flower are all expected to receive awards from Wisden on the field. "The Indians are always a great showpiece, and corporately we are virtually sold out on the first three days," said commercial manager Dave Comley. "We are hoping for four hot August days, and we are anticipating putting the heat on the touring side with a good Essex performance. We are expecting a strong Asian contingent at the match and a great atmosphere is expected as we hope the public will take advantage of the opportunity to see some of the best players in the world at Chelmsford."

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