Suresh Raina's purple patch extended to England with a century in the practice game against Somerset, which has helped him pip Yuvraj in the playing XI for the game's 2000th Test match beginning at Lord's on Thursday.

The batting lineup for the 100th match between England India is more or less decided in the order of Abhinav Mukund, Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Raina and MS Dhoni. Harbhajan Singh will assume the only spinner's role, assisting pace spearhead Zaheer Khan who will be partnered by Ishant Sharma's height and speed.

That leaves one spot up for grabs and Dhoni, it is learnt, has decided in favour of Praveen Kumar's swing. Despite his landing problems, Praveen gave a good account of himself in his debut Test series in the West Indies. That means S Sreesanth erratic reputation will again leave him cooling heels in the Lord's balcony. Likely XI: Abhinav Mukund, Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, Praveen Kumar