The wildly fluctuating series between India and England reflects Test cricket in the last decade. Where there was once domination with first the West Indies and then Australia ruling Test cricket, we now have parity, at least among the top five or six teams. Certainly there's a tendency towards home turf advantage but as we've seen with India and England, there's very little standing between the top teams.


India coach Duncan Fletcher gives catching practice to players ahead of the second Test against England at Lord's recently. Pic for representation purpose only 

Is parity better for the game than dominance? There's no doubt cricket is a more interesting spectacle when there's a genuine tussle, as witnessed in the contrasting Tests played at Trent Bridge and then Lord's. Give bowlers some encouragement and the contest can be compulsive viewing.