India in England Aug-Sep 2021 (& July 2022)

[Durhamfootman]

Matty Potts getting a bit of tap

[Arthur Crabtree]

Bad drop from Crawley off Anderson.

[Durhamfootman]

England's spinners went for 94 runs in 12 overs. From the moment Leach and honest Joe came on the Indian run rate, which had been steadily increasing, suddenly rocketed.

I've mentioned this before.... England had no option but to bowl those 12 overs of spin because the over rate was shocking and they were in danger of being fined their match fees... yet again. I'm as happy as anyone about the way England are approaching test cricket atm, but the over rates remain unforgivable...... and I'm not sure how much time 12 overs of spin saves them when 50% of the deliveries are being spanked for fours and sixes and the umpires have to check the shape of a ball every time it's been plinked into the car park or bounced down from the roof

There are better ways of improving over rates.... they could just *modded* get on with it with a bit more urgency

[Arthur Crabtree]

Commie talk.

[Durhamfootman]

mister

[Durhamfootman]

I take nothing away from a very fine knock from Pant, which was sparkling, nor from the excellent partnership with Sir Jadeja

and if I'm honest, I'm not that worried about the number of runs the England seamers, in particular Potts, conceded. If you've got 4 and 5 slips in, the bowlers are going to get carted for fours instead of singles when they get their lines or lengths wrong, especially when the batters keep getting handed lives

the overthrows were very untidy though, and there were a couple of occasions that Billings was ball watching instead of getting back to the stumps, which might have tidied that up a bit

[alfie]

So another fluctuating day...plenty of action, eh ?

Wonderful stand between Pant and Jadeja to rescue India from disaster at 98/5...bit of deja vu about these middle order revivals but that is kind of expected given the way the balls have gone soft after about thirty overs this season. Has been the pattern over all the matches so far.

This stand was a bit spectacular though : Pant takes huge risks but somehow when he is on song everything comes off... Jadeja is such a vital player I am always bemused when India leave him out : did exactly what I thought he would. 338/7 is a handy score - though whether or not they can push this over 400 tomorrow may eventually prove crucial : this pitch looks full of runs. Caution : wait until both teams have batted...

Anderson still England's best bowler . Can't go on forever ;let us enjoy while we can. Broad good if unrewarded , Potts first good , then a little unlucky - and finally pretty ropey but we can forgive a brief lapse , no ? More concerning Stokes : no rhythm , lot of loose stuff and holding my breath when he finally took a wicket lest it be another no ball ... needs to recover his bowling mojo and soon. Leach against India (especially Pant) : business as usual. Any thoughts that ten wickets last week would change things vanished quite early : he is probably still the best option England have but his limitations remain - and unfortunately this is going to cost when he gets called upon in these circumstances. His total absence of control hamstrung Stokes after tea - took Root to get the break with a brave bit of temptation.

Collingwood sounds upbeat. Let us see how this plays out.

[Arthur Crabtree]

New ball soon.

Broad has 11 wickets in seven bowling innings this summer and not more than three in any innings. Could do with a haul.

[Durhamfootman]

Bumrah doing a Broady

[Durhamfootman]

Santiago ends the fun and picks up a 5fer into the bargain

head and shoulders above the rest in this innings

[Durhamfootman]

England's turn


Heads down

[Arthur Crabtree]

Last wicket stand is a bit of a downer.

[sussexpob]

Bumrah gets lees straight away. Zak needs to make runs here

[Durhamfootman]

the most expensive over in test history from Broad, seemingly. 35 including 5 wides and a 6 off a no ball.

perhaps that sort of carnage is what it takes for England to realise that wasting the new ball by banging it in short all the time is a stupid tactic and always has been

[sussexpob]

England are crap at bowling at the lower end of innings. Just target the stumps, it's all that's required. I used to love Glenn McGrath for that...always used to throw in a few full tosses to the 10-jack, you want to take it on be my guest, but if you miss, and they regularly did, you are out