Last Updated on 7 years by Charbel Coorey
What an enthralling Test.
Yes, even as an Aussie, I have to say well played England.
I was loving life on day three when they were in all sorts of trouble, but it was a great fightback. Actually, both teams fought back from awful positions throughout this memorable match. It was Test cricket at its best – drama and tension that even a partner who is totally wrong for you doesn’t provide.
So hey, why don’t we protect Test cricket a little more?
I’ve put my viewpoints across, but in this piece, as always, I will take a light-hearted look at what was a bloody fantastic Test match. No sport can play with your emotions just like Test cricket does, and now I don’t know what to do with my life until the next Test starts. India fans, don’t despair, you’re not Sri Lanka at the moment!
So, here goes – my player ratings out of ten for each player. Leave a comment!
England:
Alastair Cook: For all my fellow Arsenal fans, we are entering Arsene Wenger territory. Holding onto past memories, no longer able to capture the form that made him great. Got two cracking deliveries from Ashwin, but is the end near? As a massive Cook fan, I hope he bounces back. England are praying he does, as they still can’t replace Andrew Strauss! 2
Keaton Jennings: Played well in the first innings. Dismissal unluckier than having to listen to Harbajhan Singh commentate. Second innings dismissal to a rampant Ashwin. Showed enough to suggest a good series? Maybe. 5.5
Joe Root: Standard Joe Root Test match. Look good. Get to 50. Get out. Stuart Broad was even wondering what the hell is going on. Mic drop. 7
Dawid Malan: Does Dawid Malan hate James Anderson or something? Dropped a couple off his bowling and had a quiet one with the bat. As one bloke put it on Twitter – “Malan is not a Test number four long as he has a hole in his arse.” Shame, because he looked good in the Ashes in Australia. Finished the game in the negatives thanks to crucial drop off Virat Kohli in the first innings. More drops than a very rainy day. 1
Jonny Bairstow: Someone should tell Jonny that it’s not white ball cricket and that he can cover his stumps. Adjustment needs to be made. Still scored 98 runs for the Test, though, plus five second innings dismissals. A good outing in anyone’s book, but India can focus on a chink in his armour perhaps… 8
Ben Stokes: First innings dismissal softer than McDonald’s ice cream but wow… what a performance with the ball from Stokes. Won the game for his team with the crucial wicket of Virat Kohli on the game’s final day. He’s getting closer to his best form… 8
Jos Buttler: Should pretend he’s up against a weakened Australia in white ball cricket! Quiet game, for once. 1
Sam Curran: If you predicted Sam Curran would have the impact he did, let me know so I can use you for my predictions pieces before a series. What a magnificent performance, especially with the ball first up and then a second innings 63 to give England a defendable total. 9.5
Adil Rashid: We were all watching closely – none more so than Michael Vaughan, and Adil Rashid did pretty well. Didn’t bowl too many overs, but contributed well. Red ball cricket is not that bad aye, Rash? 7
Stuart Broad: Two key second innings wickets to get England going. Also involved in a vital 39 run stand with Sam Curran to get England towards a 200 lead. Will have more of a say as the series goes on. 6.5
James Anderson: I heard Jimmy strangled Dawid Malan. Deserved more than his four wickets. Bowled beautifully. 8
India
Murali Vijay: One of the beneficiaries of Dawid Malan’s slip ‘catching’, but couldn’t go on! If he did, would the Kohli haters have mentioned it, as they did about Kohli? 3
Shikhar Dhawan: For me, Shikhar walks around with a big “W” on his head when in England. W stands for Wicket. Walking Wicket. Loose drives need to be shelved in conditions like these. 4
KL Rahul: First innings shot that would have been heavily criticised even in a T20 game. If your Test number three is playing strokes like that, maybe it’s time to rethink the strategy. Looks out of sorts, did KL. 2
Virat Kohli: Can I give 11/10? What a magnificent performance from Virat. The road to greatness is just about complete. He spent half his time batting, and the other half looking for support. It is so harsh to take .5 of a point away from him, but he couldn’t quite manage to get his team home, even though the others didn’t pull their weight. 9.5
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| Good question, Virat… |
Ajinkya Rahane: When watching Rahane’s shot in the second innings, I asked myself “Did he just have a major operation or something?” It was a shot as if he was in pain. Disappointing outing from a typically very reliable player for India overseas. 3
Dinesh Karthik: Promising second innings knock, and unfortunately couldn’t get going on the fourth day. Needed to stick around longer. Positive signs. 4
Hardik Pandya: Hardik was India’s second highest run scorer for the Test. And they nearly won. Can you believe it? The other batsman need to arrive to England from holiday. Nonetheless, positives to take from his performance, despite perhaps not farming the strike as best he could towards the end. 7
Ravichandran Ashwin: He bowled beautifully. This is his breakthrough match overseas, and while conditions did assist, he utilised what was on offer absolutely perfectly. As Ramiz Raja (no, not him) put it, he owns a house, car, bike and Alastair Cook! 9
Mohammed Shami: Had his good moments, and India would be encouraged, in my opinion. 6.5
Ishant Sharma: Simply superb. Ishant Sharma has been reborn in England in 2018. Superb swing and seam bowling. His best haircut in years as well. 9
Umesh Yadav: At times, a pile of rubbish looked more attractive than Umesh’s bowling. Just has to find greater consistency. Bet India really can’t wait for Bhuvneshwar Kumar to come back. 3
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So, what a Test match that was!
Hopefully these player ratings got a little chuckle or two out of you. One thing is for sure, though, we all can’t wait for the second Test. Can India sort out their batting issues? Can England go 2-0 up? Should be an interesting watch.
Thanks for reading!
