Number Cruncher: Statistical preview of India vs England - Part 2

India and England will resume their Test rivalry with first of the five-match series starting at Nottingham today. The other four Test matches will be played at Lord’s, Southampton, Manchester and The Oval. [caption id=“attachment_1610623” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File picture of James Anderson (L). Reuters[/caption] Dhoni and company have something to prove as England have defeated India in last two series - both in England and India. Here is a look at all the important statistics ahead of the first Test.    India playing five match series It is not very often that you will see an Indian side playing a series of five Tests. The last such instance was in 2002 in West Indies and before that in 1997- also in West Indies. In all India have featured in 32 series of five matches or more (20 at home and 12 abroad) - winning nine, losing 19 and drawing four. The only time India won a five-match series abroad was in 1971 in West Indies when India won 1-0. The only other time India played a five-match series in England was in 1959. India were blanked 5-0 then. India in first Test of a series The opening Test of a series outside the subcontinent has always been very challenging for India. England are no exception. Of the 16 occasions India played a series in England, they won only one, drew two and lost 13 times in the first Test. The only win came in 1986 when India registered a five-wicket win at Lord’s.   India can, however, take some solace from the fact that since 2000 their performance has somewhat improved. Till 1999 India had won only 3 and lost 24 of the 36 ‘first’ Tests outside the subcontinent. Since 2000, they have won 5 and lost 8 out of 18.  There are talks of India going in to the first Test with 5 bowlers. This has not happened too often in Indian cricket. Of the last five such instances outside the subcontinent spanning over 21 years, India have not won any, lost one and drawn four.       England’s most bowler-friendly ground Nottingham can lay claim to be the most bowler-friendly ground in England. Since 2005 the average runs per wicket ratio at Nottingham is just 28.75, which is the lowest among all major England grounds. Have a look:   Pacers have accounted for nearly 89% wickets snapped up by the bowlers in last 5 Tests played here. Spinners have had very tough time of late.  What should interest Indian bowlers is the fact that almost all current England batsmen have underperformed at Nottingham. That Stuart Broad has the highest batting average from the current lot narrates the kind of success England batsmen have enjoyed at this ground.  Where batsmen have faltered, bowlers have come to England’s rescue. Anderson really loves bowling here. There is only one ground where he has taken more wickets (68 at Lord’s), but his average of 17.35 here is the lowest for him at any ground.