The key to Harbhajan Singh 's 5 for 115 at The Oval was an immaculate control of the basics of line and length. As our graph shows, Harbhajan pitched 82% of his deliveries on his good length. For his spin partner Anil Kumble, the corresponding figure was only 68%. Harbhajan's line was similarly precise. When bowling to England's right-handers, he pitched over 90% of his deliveries (148 out of 163) on off and middle stump or further across to the off side. By contrast, when bowling to Mark Butcher and Marcus Trescothick, he pitched 77% of his deliveries (53 out of 69) on leg and middle or further across to the leg side.

This was Harbhajan's ninth Test five-for. Remarkably, all have come when India have fielded first. So much for winning the toss and batting when you have two spinners in the side.

Rob Smyth is Assistant Editor of Wisden.com.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd