Following the second Test between India and England, the so-called experts – almost to a man (and the occasional woman) – seemed to think England were thrashed purely as a result of a diabolical wicket.
We uninformed cricket lovers seem to think England were just thrashed in all facets of the game.
From the very first ball, the ranting and raving about the wicket was absurd. Sure, it wasn’t the best, but India managed to score over 600 runs on it and England under 300.
The Indian batsmen seemed to apply themselves better and played the ball, not the wicket. The England batsmen didn’t apply themselves at all and looked defeated as they walked out to bat.
Rohit Sharma’s century in the first innings was magnificent. He took the attack to the bowlers, put them under pressure and reaped the rewards. England scored at 2.2 runs an over in their first dig, were anchored to the crease, and barely played a shot in anger.
In the second innings, India were 6-102 and going nowhere when Ravi Ashwin came out at No.8 and smashed 100 off 130 balls.
In reply, England faced 19 overs, lost three wickets, but could have been all out. They looked totally clueless.
A lot’s been said about how India’s spinners are so much better and more experienced in the conditions. Obviously Ashwin’s a wonderful bowler but Kuldeep Yadav has only played seven Tests and Axar Patel was making his debut. Ashwin was dropped three times on his way to his century. That had nothing to do with the wicket.
Yet listening to the experts, the wicket was a disgrace. These same experts are quick to slam teams that come over to England early in our summer, face cold weather, green seaming wickets, and predictably get hammered.
What annoys me is that it’s their opinions that are listened to, not the majority of cricket lovers who have just seen England get thrashed by a far better team.
Michael ‘have I mentioned I was captain of the 2005 Ashes side’ Vaughan called the game over at tea on the first day with India 3-189. Is it just me or is that ridiculous?
India won fair and square by playing better cricket on a difficult but far from impossible wicket.
It is supposed to be Test cricket, which the English sporting media should thing about before they start moaning and whining.
Hari
Roar Rookie
No clouds!
Cari the crybaby :laughing: :laughing:
IDeals22
Roar Rookie
I think Joe Root's smile and tap of the wicket both times he was dismissed was indicative of the mindset that cost England.
IDeals22
Roar Rookie
I think Cari feels better for letting that out :laughing:
IDeals22
Roar Rookie
Exploding balls? Really? Rohit scored 160 opening the batting against those "exploding balls" and Ashwin scored 100 in the third innings at number 8. In his man-of-the-match speech, Ashwin said " Those balls which were doing much didn't get wickets, it was the mind doing thingss". Perhaps hinting at why England folded either side of Ashwin's innings.
Andy
Roar Rookie
A bit of both. However, India will obviously prepare pitches that suit them and England need to get used to that if they want to win the series.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Only if someone had played the innings sharma did.
WillowWiz
Roar Rookie
The wicket for the first Test was an absolute road. The second Test wicket had something in it for both batters and bowlers since day one.
WillowWiz
Roar Rookie
The wicket used in the first Test didn't really deteriorate for the first 3.5 days though.
WillowWiz
Roar Rookie
England wouldn't have won even if they had batted first. The pitch was turning square from day 1.
WillowWiz
Roar Rookie
"Pitch and weather" info, apparently. And it happened in Pakistan, so not sure if the bookmaker was called "John".
Cari
Roar Rookie
Yeah you invented the word whinging but of course you never use it. Look on your shoulder mate, your chips are on view.
I remember a test in Christchurch in the early 80's. NZ made 300 odd batting first, and then Hadlee destroyed England as the Poms couldn't make 100 in either innings. The Poms response: "Terrible wicket". England cricket is a joke. The fact they get offered so many tests is a joke. They are the most over-rated, over-hyped, over-paid team in all of cricket. Agnew and Vaughan were both absolutely PATHETIC in their whinging articles they wrote blaming the Chennai pitch - despite a blinking tail ender smashing them for a century.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Nothing has changed in India for years. You genuinely win toss bat 1st and get over 300 in the 1st innings and you win Test match. The wicket while not fantastic, wasn't as bad as mad out. Only slightly worse than the 1st Test. The Pommy experts weren't raving and ranting when they won the toss in the 1st Test..... I expect they won't in the third test if they win the toss.
Cari
Roar Rookie
Of course I would think everybody knows the India has the top spin bowlers, it's so suited to their wickets and England struggles to produce any, so how did England score 578 in the first Test against the strongest spin bowling attack? The answer is easy, the wicket deteriorated after two days because it was never intended to last for a five day Test.
Fake grass on a concrete wicket Barry.....Thats what would bring equal conditions...Except the weather would still change conditions anyway.....
John Im not sure where the shield match was played yesterday between NSW and Vic but it spun from day 1 big time....Holland ( i think ) was turning it sideways by lunch.....
he was happy to put up a fight too...
Spot on.....India played on the same pitch...Their bowlers were just far better and their batsmen were far more dedicated.....
Hari
Roar Rookie
Unless a pitch is physically harmful for the batsmen with good technique and will see results within 4/5 days, it is an excellent wicket, more diverse, better the pitch.