key events
Have we seen this before?
Abhishek Padnis Think so: Lords ’23, Lyon was out, England were 188-1 in first innings, throwing wickets on short ball strategy. Rajkot ’24, Ashwin was out, England were 219-1 in first innings 2 Beat wickets and bowl stupid balls. I know the purpose of Bazball is to attack and put the opponent at a disadvantage, but if they are “already” disadvantaged and don’t have their main bowler, why attack unnecessarily And get them back into the game?
I’m not sure I would criticize Bairstow for playing “stupid shots”. He simply misjudged the length of the spin. But yes, looking at the outcome, I think it’s fair to call Root’s counter-reporting “silly”.
Over 44: England 238-4 (Duckett 149, Stokes 6) Duckett edge, but it flew over four gullies. A cutter from Bumrah got some buy from the deck and fired a loose jab from Duckett. Bumrah also found Stokes’ edge, but this time with a front-foot jab and a soft hand, so there was little danger of being caught as it ambled through the four-man cordon.
Over 43: England 229-4 (Duckett 144, Stokes 2) Stokes drove two deep into extra cover with a strong drive on the board. Duckett added one to the total by driving a goad into the side of his leg as he pressed forward. If there’s a guy in front on short leg, he’s on his way. As soon as the match started, Kuldeep made a nice spin and bounce from the rough. This will keep lefties on their toes.
Joe Root doesn’t want to read my inbox right now.
This is JOwen Withington: “Good morning Daniel… After Root’s horrific act of self-sacrifice, Bairstow was once again in trouble and my heart sank. I seem to have been ridiculed by Bazball era Australians on social media, no doubt to a large extent The above is due to the perfect storm of Anglo/New Zealand origins. But it feels like Root is doing his best to justify the criticism and using the opportunity to practice ringside tent cricket shooting. While others feel free to play to their strengths Root insists on hitting shots he clearly can’t hit and throws away England’s newfound top-level consistency. Please make it stop.”
and Vivekanand Muthukrishnan: “Can someone take Ruud aside, calm him down, and convince him that he belongs to him and does not need to strengthen the batting style that has accumulated 11,000 runs? Otherwise, he will soon face being abandoned. The danger. We had already lost a great Test in Pujara and Root had the same ending.”
Such a strange situation. He was clearly England’s best player (at his peak) but he’s still far from that level now. Will he bounce back with strikes, tackles and reverses? Or did he wear it off? Nothing he does now works.
Inning 42: England 226-4 (Duckett 143, Stokes 0) Bumrah will be happy to bowl to both left-armers and will bowl to both from around the wicket. Duckett batted first, which meant Bumrah could set up the remaining five balls for Stokes. He found a tight trying line and then pushed a yorker to end the over. Stokes dug it out.
Reader David Williams was unhappy with Joe:
“While I am a big fan of Bazball, Joe Root should have known better – understood the situation. Without Ashwin, Bumrah only had a few overs and he took a shot that was completely unnecessary. Lack of reading of the game was the reason. It’s embarrassing.”
I think I agree with you, David. The deck is also flat. I think that’s why Root is so angry at himself. Then again, maybe he was just pissed that he didn’t hit a six with a reverse spoon.
Round 41: England 225-4 (Duckett 142, Stokes 0) Suddenly, Duckett had a rebuilding job on his hands. He lost two partners in six overs. Kuldeep did a great job, toying with Bairstow, pushing him in front and then pressing him back. Not for the first time, Stokes had to dig his side out of trouble before he could think of a counterattack.
wicket! Bairstow LBW Kuldeep 0 (England 225-4)
gone! Bairstow didn’t even wait for the three reds to appear on the big screen. After watching the replay, he was on his way. Just plumb. The previous ball flew out and dragged Bairstow forward, almost squeezing through the bat and pads. The fizz of this ball was relatively bland, but Bairstow went the other way. It turned around and slammed his pads down in front of his stump. In an instant, India was in control of the situation.
Fingers raised, Bairstow is awarded! Looks plumb. They looked back, but the ball was pitched outside his stump and off Kuldeep’s left-arm wrist spin back into his pads. I’d be surprised if this doesn’t stick.
Round 40: England 224-3 (Duckett 141, Bairstow 0) Bumrah once again had a breakthrough in the morning training session. Root was gone and newcomer Bairstow dug out a searing yorker first.
wicket! Root c Jaiswal b Bumrah 18 (England 224-3)
illusory! What a remarkable wicket! As Root did, he launched a reverse sweep towards Bumrah’s seamer, but he couldn’t get the lift he needed to take him out of the cordon. Instead, Jaiswal caught a screamer at second slip. That’s moving at knots. Root’s poor form continued and he had to leave, admonishing himself as he left the scene.
Over 39: England 223-2 (Duckett 140, Root 18) Duckett took out the broom and completed the first cleaning of the day. Free, in control, perfectly timed; already beaten four times in front of the square. Then he almost ran out of strength. In fact, the leaping Jurel did well to throw off the keeper’s gloves before ducking the bowler’s end, and a direct hit would have ended Duckett’s stay, despite his desperate diving. Three singles off the remaining four balls made Ngelkand’s innings productive.
“Good morning, Daniel” good morning Brian Withington. Thanks for joining me early.
” The brother just texted that Finn was an “amazingly” insightful expert. At the risk of generalizing, I think pitchers are generally like this. One that the OBO community should consider? As a random showcase, the AI will offer KP vs Shane Warne; Exhibit B, Ponting vs Broad (closer). “
An interesting hypothesis. I would say Pent is one of the best in the business. But you might be right. My favorite Safa player and commentator is Sean Pollock. Your brother is probably onto something.
Round 38: England 216-2 (Duckett 134, Root 17) Bumrah is yet to fully nail down his range. He was too wide outside Root’s goal. A length-delivered iOS drove expertly behind the four-man square. Root played away from the body but he was in total control of the game. He then easily picked up two from the mat. If Bumrah fails to control Root, the situation in India may soon get out of hand.
Round 37: England 210-2 (Duckett 134, Root 11) Kuldeep’s left-arm wrist spin got things going smoothly at the other end. Remember, there is no Asshin today or for the rest of the test. Kuldeep’s target was to find some rough outside Root’s stumps. He couldn’t quite find it. He’s a little too upright and Root feeds a single to the leg-side sweeper off the back foot.
Over 36: England 209-2 (Duckett 134, Root 10) Bumrah started from around the wicket to left-hand Duckett, who hammered a comfortable single into cover for the second ball. This led to Root’s strike. The former England captain ran into trouble against Bumrah – who turned to the right and went over the wicket. Root pulled the trigger and got him out of trouble. Maybe he wants to suppress any lateral movement? The inside edge gives him a perfect leg. Duckett played solid defense the rest of the way.
at that time. Bumrah has the ball. Duckett and Root have bats. “The Test”, in fact the entire series, was carefully prepared. let’s go!
Where does Ashin rank in the pantheon of greats? The numbers don’t lie, but he doesn’t always get the love he deserves (I think).
It’s great that his record is now on par with the elite. Another, more thought-provoking question: Will he be the last member to join the 500 Club?
next time.Now, enjoy Tanya Aldred Lovely pieces about this man:
Now Sir Alastair Cook waxes lyrical about ‘Ducky’ on TNT. The former England captain and left-handed opener praised Duckett’s bravery against Indian spin and his accuracy in sweeping the ball. On defense, he looks like a duck to the slaughter. But in the sweep, he took control. “A glorious hundred,” said Sir Alastair. exactly!
‘Extraordinary talent’
This is Ravichandran Ashwin – the latest member of the exclusive 500 club – talking about Ben Duckett after his mesmerizing century in England’s opener.
The last time the southpaw batted in India, he averaged single digits throughout the tour and, personally, never got past the third Test. Now, he’s leading the Bazballers into uncharted territory. Can he play today?
Preface
Daniel Garland
Oops, we’re already halfway there! At least, at some point in today’s second session, we’ll be halfway through this five-Test series, and quietly, it’s shaping up to be an epic.
When Britain arrived in India, it faced an unsolved problem. Can they play cricket in the humblest of backyards? Ben Duckett’s astonishing Test result, the fastest Englishman ever run in India, answers this question powerfully.
This is unreal hitting. This bold approach deserves praise. Its unbeaten 133 off just 118 balls puts it firmly in contention for the best batting opportunity from the Indian tourists (we’ve already got one of those in this series).
Duckett will have the company of Joe Root (9 in 13 games) but won’t have to face Ravichandran Ashin. India’s chief spinner became the ninth player to reach 500 Test wickets but had to withdraw from the game due to a family medical emergency.
It’s a cruel blow for India and England may still be ahead despite being 238 runs behind. If Duckett and Root can form a partnership, if the aggressive middle order can get going, if the tail can make some handy runs, England could take a sizable lead.
That’s a lot of ifs and maybes. But this team challenges our perception of the sport. Whether you love England cricket or hate it, there’s no denying that this latest iteration of the Brave sets a new standard with the bat.
The match resumes at 4am UK time/9:30am UK time in Rajkot.
