From swinging London to Maco country
Our correspondent walks and buses the streets of the English capital, and then heads for the coast
Like Jamna paar (other side of the River Yamuna) in Delhi, there is north of river and south of river in London. Makes for entertaining debates as to which is better. Stopping in the north right now, sitting in a café near Lord's, thinking of Dire Straits singing "Way on down south, way on down south, London town."
"Sultans of Swing", Dire Straits
"Every F***ing City", Paul Kelly
"London Thumakda", Amit Trivedi
"London by Night", Frank Sinatra
"Leaving London", Tom Paxton
"Night in London", Laxmikant Pyarelal
Wandering cut short by news overnight that India have complained officially against James Anderson, who allegedly pushed Ravindra Jadeja while walking back for lunch on day two at Trent Bridge. India seem incensed that England consider this a tactical move designed to eliminate Anderson from series, losing Jadeja in the worst-case scenario. Pawn for knight. Can vouch MS Dhoni doesn't play his cricket this way. Spend afternoon trying to piece together information regarding incident. Players cagey. Legal matter now. Don't even get to experience famous slope of Lord's before Test.
England win toss. Insert India. Bowl poorly, yet have them down at 145 for 7. Ajinkya Rahane plays a gem, scoring his second century, doubling score with last three wickets. On-driven six off Anderson stands out. As does patience early on in innings. India 290 for 9.
Overhead in London: "I have accomplished my objective today." "What? To wake up?" In London, you wander and overhear.
Dhoni has been exceptional this series with his aggressive moves, but can't help not going for a catch between him and first slip. Beneficiary Gary Ballance goes on to score a century, but towards stumps India claw back with two leg-side half-volleys: Mooen Ali is lbw off one, Ballance edges other to Dhoni. England 219 for 6 against India 295.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar ends up with six wickets to restrict England's lead to just 24. M Vijay sets India's innings up with yet another exhibition of leaving balls outside off. Kohli, though, falls first ball, shouldering arms, not moving back foot across, exposing off stump, which Liam Plunkett hits. Did Ishant choose the right person to take tips on leaving from? India 169 for 4, lead by 145.
Ohh Ravi Jadeja. Crowd goes wild as Jadeja laces England attack for a 57-ball 68 to take India's lead past 300. Upon reaching 50 he unleashes a sword dance with his bat. Learn through colleague Andrew Fernando that the "Ohh Ravi Jadeja chant" is sung loosely to the tune of the guitar solo in The White Stripes' Seven-Nation Army. Not for nothing did Shane Warne say Jadeja was a rock star. England 105 for 4, chasing 319.
Tense final day. Joe Root and Moeen work hard for almost entire first session before Ishant and Dhoni come up with a plan to bowl bouncers and run through England. Only India's second win at Lord's. Much joy for them. Not for Alastair Cook. Sky's Michael Atherton grills him at the post-match presentation, asking almost every question the public wants to ask. Indian commentators would be sacked if they asked similar questions of an India captain.
Have lo leave lovely London for Southampton. One last bit of overhearing in heavy traffic, while waiting at a bus stop: "They're like London buses." Guess what, they are London buses. Except you can't buy tickets for cash any more.
Southampton. University town. Harbour town. The Titanic sailed from here. Malcolm Marshall played here. Shane Warne did too. One should love this county. Except, the Ageas Bowl is in the middle of nowhere, and about a 40-minute drive from the city. Would do anything for London buses here. Instead, pay huge taxi fares.
Michael Pain. Owns the cricket shop at the Ageas Bowl. Also new equipment brand called Funky. Has followed Hampshire cricket for over 30 years. Remembers many an evening drinking rum with Marshall, who played at the old ground, Northland Road. Plum housing complex now, in plum location. Marshall Square remains in the middle of it.
Being a university town, Southampton has handed out honorary degrees to its legendary cricketers. David Gower is a Master of the Arts. Suits him. Warne a Doctor of Business Administration. Doesn't suit him. Will they get another Test if they gave a degree to Kevin Pietersen, who played here?
More Marshall musings. This time with Tim Tremlett. Former Hampshire bowler. Now director here. Father of Chris. Says Marshall hardly ever got annoyed. Often it would be little things. Wasn't much of a one for practical jokes. Everybody knew how fastidious he was. One day a team-mate nicked his comb. At the start of the day's play, the whole team was outside but Marshall. Couple of minutes later, captain sends a player up to check. Furious, looking for his comb. Wasn't fun batting against him on days his team-mates played pranks on him.
Sidharth Monga is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo