Who will take the lead?
At the end of day two Lords test is very evenly poised. England need 245, with in form captain Joe Root still there, along with experienced Bairstow. To be followed by Moeen Ali , Jos Butler ,Sam Curran. England is hopeful to score big and take first innings lead over India. Lot would depend on the weather and pitch conditions also. If Indian pace quartet - Ishant, Bumrah, Shami and Siraj do get favorable overcast conditions and keep disciplined, probing line and length ,bit supported by Ravindra Jadeja India can still hope to stop England from running away with the match.
Earlier India started with overnight 276/3. Within just 7 balls of the second morning England were back in the match. On Robinson's second ball of the morning Rahul drove harmless half volley straight into short covers hand. Such a soft dismissal, heartbreaking for K L Rahul and Indian supporters. Followed by 1st ball Anderson shock - Rahane back trying to poke outside the off stump - 278/4, 282/5.
Then it was up to Jadeja and Pant and long tail of bowlers. Pant stepped out to every fast bowler bowling around 140 kms/hr, bit with predetermined approach to unsettle their length. Successful most of the times. Had an important 49 runs partnership with Jadeja. Pant 37 removed by faster Wood - 340/7.Barring Ishant for few overs no one was able to support him, duo formed 26 runs partnership. India bundled out 364 within hour after lunch, adding just 88 runs to their overnight score. Jadeja out last on 40. Old wily Anderson lead the way with 5 wickets.
Indian Middle order woes in recent times:
2nd Day in snippets :
India cross 300 in 102nd over - 27 Runs in 1st hour.
Lunch Day 2 :
Within hour after lunch :
Tea : Burns n Sibley both on 11*
Post Tea Siraj starts over with a double strike, Root denied Hat Trick. 23/2.Then Burns and Joe Root carried on nicely with 85 runs partnership and were looking very dangerous. But Shami struck immediately in the first over of his second spell, who one thought, was bit under bowled with just 6 overs out of 41, in the England innings then. Burns 49 ,108/3.Joe Root as classic as ever ended the day with 48 not out.
-Vivek Ketkar
No comments:
Post a Comment