We've sorted the spin, now for the toss

My request was granted and finally we realised we had to play two spinners against India. "Tufnell for selector," I hear you shout. Steady on - after all it didn't really take a genius to work out that two spinners should always be used against India on their own turf.

Anyway, the boys gave India a run for their money. A definite majority points decision for England on the basis that they had India trying to survive for a draw which in fairness the hosts did without any real problem.

So where did it all change between the First and Second Tests and can we keep it going into the Third Test, which starts tomorrow?

The first thing was that Nasser Hussain won the toss, having lost so many in recent Tests. Losing the toss can be the difference between getting a result or not. Win the toss, bat first, post a score of 400-plus, just like last time, stop Sachin Tendulkar from scoring a ton and the Third Test should be ours - it's easy when it's put like that!

Another improvement from the First Test was posting a score of more than 400. This time, despite a slight middle order blip, we took advantage of Mark Butcher and Marcus Trescothick's good work.

A pat on the back must go to Craig White for his sensational innings of 121, which proved that he is back to his best after being injured in the summer. He showed his ability against the spinners and that his temperament was sound as at 180 for five, it was touch and go which way the innings would go. Talking of temperament and turnrounds, young James Foster's first two Tests of his career could not have been more different. His partnership with White went a long way to repaying people's belief that he is England's No 1 wicketkeeper with the bat and, having appeared to have got over his nerves, he looked the part behind the stumps.