The season begins with a three-match npower Test Series between England and Sri Lanka. This will be followed by the NatWest Series, contested by England, Sri Lanka and India. Finally England and India will play a four-match npower Test Series. Ashish Nehra, who was very much the best Indian bowler on the opening day of the first Test against Zimbabwe on Thursday, has said that his immediate objective was to cement his place in the Indian squad. Sri Lanka's veteran batsman Aravinda de Silva says he is confident of beating India in the forthcoming three-match Test series.
Form is temporary, class is permanent.
And while the selectors have to keep the classy players in mind, they should not ignore form too. Oh yes, a selector's job is not easy. The quintet are going to get damned if they pick this player or that and are really in a no win situation. India enjoyed a very successful opening day in the first Test match against Zimbabwe at the Queen's Sports Club in Bulawayo on Thursday. They bowled the home side out for 173 and by close had scored 83 for three.