1st npower Test: England v India

England host the world's number one ranked side in a fascinating four Test series that gets underway at the world famous Lord's Cricket Ground. English cricket has rarely been on such a high: the comprehensive thrashing of the Australians to retain the Ashes over the winter has fanned the flames of optimism surrounding the team and many now believe they can go on to become the world's best. A series victory over Sri Lanka earlier this summer consolidated that idea, even if much of the series was lost to poor weather. England currently have an embarrassment of riches to call upon, with Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell all in world class form and Kevin Pietersen, Eoin Morgan and Matt Prior all showing signs of their best. To become the world's best, they'll have to overcome a formidable India side, with batting lynchpin and all-time legend of the game Sachin Tendulkar surely making his last playing appearance on English soil. 'The Little Master' also faces the added pressure of scoring what will be his 100th international hundred - should he achieve the feat in this match, then surely there can be no greater setting than the Home of Cricket. India's preparation for the match hasn't been ideal - they're without explosive opening batsman Virender Sehwag and were outplayed by Somerset in their practice match (a game in which England captain Andrew Strauss made 78 and 109 not out in a welcome return to form). The tourists do, however, boast a stellar batting order, with Tendulkar joined by other current greats of the game in VVS Laxman, MS Dhoni and Rahul Dravid. Expect a gripping series and a fascinating opening match here at Lord's as England's talented young bowlers, led by James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Chris Tremlett and the world's best spinner Graeme Swann, attempt to topple the mighty Indian batting line-up. This match is also the 2000th Test match in the history of cricket, providing additional significance to the contest (as if it were needed).