England tour: KL Rahul warms up on arrival with century for India A

It was perfect practice for Kannaur Lokesh Rahul, who will be the most experienced Indian batsman in the Indian line-up engaging England in a five-Test series commencing on 20 June. He wanted to adapt to the climes of England and made the best of it, compiling a chanceless 116 off 168 balls, with 15 fours and a six, as India A fought their way to 319 for seven at stumps on a slightly truncated the first day of the second unofficial Test against England Lions.

Rahul realised 121 runs for the fourth wicket with Dhruv Jurel, who scored 52, his third consecutive half-century on this tour. Clearly, the Indian management are scrutinising him as they weigh their options in a relatively untried batting line-up following the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

Sai Sudarshan, regardless of his talent, is yet to taste Test cricket; while Nitish Reddy is greenhorn in England. Sudarshan has, of course, enjoyed a short stint with Surrey and even scored a resounding hundred for them. Reddy stroked the ball handsomely, until he left a delivery which cut back virtually at a right angle to be bowled for 34. 

Akash Deep, a fast-medium exponent from Bengal, has, noticeably, not featured in either of India A’s fixtures despite being selected in the Indian 18 for the ensuing principal series. Admittedly, bowlers don’t require acclimatisation the way batsmen do.          

Conditions were comparatively more testing than in India A’s previous outing at Canterbury. An overcast morning, even spells of shower, provided a challenge that was ideal preparation for the Indians in the reckoning for the upcoming series, which will inaugurate the 2025-27 cycle of the World Test Championship calendar – an arduous five-Test battle with Bazball-inclined England.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, who could partner Rahul to open the batting in the official contest, however, failed as he did in the first innings at Canterbury. This time, he was perhaps a trifle unlucky to be adjudged leg before wicket to a ball from Chris Woakes which might have missed leg stump. 

He signalled so - an offence which invites a fine in domestic cricket in England. Later, Shardul Thakur’s wait bordered on dissent. In the green and heavy environment of Britain, patience against the moving ball is a virtue, which Jaiswal needs to cultivate, if he is to make a mark in England.  

Bengal’s Abhimanyu Eshwaran, captaining the side and entering at number three – in contrast to his usual slot of opener - too, was trapped lbw by Woakes. He figures in the squad for the main Tests but he has thus far, on this visit, not shown himself to be in the running to make the cut.         

About 60 miles north of London, up Motorway 1 lies Wantage Road, home of Northamptonshire County Cricket Club. It nestles in the midst of characteristic two-storied, red brick English residences in the town of Northampton.

This is not an illustrious cricketing county, for Northants have never won the County Championship. They’ve had to reconcile themselves to limited overs prizes such as the NatWest Trophy and the Benson & Hedges Cup.

Yet, they are not unimbued with interesting tales, which are part of the game’s folklore. Colin Milburn, an opener for the county, turned the scales at 16 stones (102 kilos). Indeed, he was nicknamed ‘Ollie’ after the rotund American comedian Oliver Hardy.

That notwithstanding, he earned an England call-up in 1966 and was among the home side’s successes against the mighty West Indies, who had in their arsenal the dangerous pace duo of Wesley Hall and Charlie Griffith and the wily off spin of Lance Gibbs. Milburn belted the ball to the onside as beefily as anyone. Tragically, he lost an eye in a car accident in 1969 and was never again seen in national colours.

Then there was David Steele. An unpretentious county professional, he was plucked out of obscurity by Tony Greig, England’s South African-born captain, to be thrown into the deep end against Australia in the summer of 1975.

At 33, prematurely grey and distinguished in steel-rimmed spectacles, he negotiated the fire of Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson with an unflinching forward defence, which won the admiration of even the sternest critic.

The following summer, he faced-up to a West Indian quartet of expressmen with equal determination. Not to forget, those were the days when there was no security of a helmet or all-encompassing body protection. 

Northants have been a habitat for many an Indian cricketer. The classical left-arm spinner Bishan Bedi paved the way in the 1970s, followed by all-rounder Kapil Dev Nikhanj, wrist-spinner Anil Kumble and more recently batsman Prithvi Shaw, leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal and Karun Nair, among others.

Indeed, it was a homecoming for Nair, who after a double hundred in the previous encounter, again looked at ease before falling leg before to the persevering Woakes for 40.

Briskly deviating the ball both ways, Woakes was easily the pick of the England Lions bowlers. He thrives in English conditions, which conspire with swing and seam, and will almost certainly be included in the England XI against India in the 1^st Test at Headingley, Leeds.

The Indians also obtained a good sight of Josh Tongue and George Hill, both quicker bowlers and both in England’s 14 for the first Test. Neither made the impression Woakes did - though Hill had Rahul caught at second slip and then clean bowled Jurel.

Meanwhile, the weather forecast for Northampton for the weekend is not great; which could negate a full quota of proceedings.