Oh dear, Not again. The nervous thirties, not the nineties.
Sachin is out for 34, caught Swann off Broad's bowling in the third day's play at Lords. He managed six 4s off 58 balls.
That elusive 100th century on that elusive ground, the hallowed home of cricket.
Sachin played confidently until he hit a bad patch in the 30s. And of course we know why - he's never done better than 37 runs at Lords.
After one particular no run today, a short ball down the leg side, Prior collected and appealed. Sunil Gavaskar observed that it was a sign of how desperate the English bowlers were for Sachin's wicket.
Well, they got it. There were plenty of no runs - yet he was also able at times to shine with some of his usual brilliance, such as when directing a slightly wide of off-stump and slightly short ball through to a successful cover point.
He seemed to have it - the footwork, the strength, the grace, the vision. But the thirty-something doldrums - like being a ship at sea that makes no progress - must have rattled him.
Never mind Sachin. There's always next time. And we'll be watching.
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Searching for Sachin.
Photo credit cricinfo.
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