With two losses against India at Lord's already this summer, England will be hoping it's third time lucky when the first Test starts there on Thursday. And perhaps three just might be their lucky number. Remember the last time England beat India at Lord's - and a famous innings of 333?

July 26, 1990: England began a sensational first Test against India at Lord's. It was memorable for so many things, chief amongst them Graham Gooch's epic knock of 333 - the highest individual score at Lord's. With the help of Allan Lamb (139) and Robin Smith (100 not out), Gooch took the Indian attack apart on a belter of a pitch. All but one of the bowlers went for over 100. The exception was Ravi Shastri – and he conceded 99. But just as the match is remembered for Gooch's triple ton, Indian fans never forget wicketkeeper Kiran More's drop when Gooch was on just 36. It turned out to be one of the most fatal fumbles in cricket history.

England declared on 653 for 4, and despite a solid hundred from Shastri and a dazzling one from Mohammad Azharuddin, India still looked to be struggling to avoid the dreaded follow-on. They needed 23 runs needed with one wicket left – but then Kapil Dev took the law into his own hands and launched off-spinner Eddie Hemmings for four consecutive straight sixes. Off the next ball, Narendra Hirwani was out to Angus Fraser. India had escaped the follow-on by one run.

It looked like it might be enough for a draw. But after Gooch and Mike Atherton plundered an opening partnership of 204, and after 17-year-old Sachin Tendulkar took an astonishing one-handed catch, India were left to survive four sessions or chase 472. At 114 for 3 they might have fancied their chances, but once Hemmings denied Dilip Vengsarkar the chance of four hundreds in as many Lord's Tests, the writing was on the wall ...

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Freddie Auld is on the staff of Wisden.com.

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