Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
After the second Test, I was one angry Aussie.
The series was going down the path of what Test cricket has become – dominant in favour of the home team.
Now, we have an interesting fourth Test to look forward to!
Also, thank you to India for enabling me to showcase some Photoshop skills, breaking the story that Joe Root was caught flooding the pitch before the last day’s play. On a day where I had a work colleague from England tell me that England would win next year’s Ashes 5-0, I’m even happier with this result. All part of the rivalry.
In this Test, India’s adjusted approach was there for everyone to see on the first morning. Unlike Lord’s, India mostly played the ball late and they reaped the rewards. Virat Kohli again starred, but this time he had support, and the bowlers were fantastic, too.
For England, we could fast forward to 2030 and they could still be looking to replace Andrew Strauss. Even worse, they may have to look at replacing Alastair Cook, too. Also, I’ve seen less drops on a very rainy day when it comes to England’s fielding. A Test to forget for them.
So, which way will the series go? Could still go either way, but in the meantime, I will do my usual player ratings for matches in this series, looking at each player out of ten. As always, I try bring a laugh or two!
England:
Keaton Jennings: England and Wales Cricket Board’s Day 5 highlights on YouTube will probably last longer than Keaton’s stays at the crease. It is disappointing that he has proven his recall was the wrong decision, as he possesses a technique that is made for edging the ball. More edges than a Australian 50c coin, as they say. And that dropped catch off Hardik Pandya in the first innings… Best to not talk about it… 2
Alastair Cook: Refer to my Arsene Wenger reference from the 1st Test. The end looks near for Alastair Cook, which is a shame. His off stump, good length technique is copping a battering. The “bunny” status has been passed on from Ravichandran Ashwin to Ishant Sharma. 2
Joe Root: Will have nightmares of Jasprit Bumrah, no doubt. And the third umpire, too. Tough decision against Root in the first innings, but he too is getting squared up quite often and playing at deliveries he just doesn’t have to. Leave the ball, Joe. 3
Ollie Pope: Can drive a truck through the gap between his bat and pad. India will surely continue focusing on bowling wider to Pope, who loves to reach for the ball. Dangerous. 3
Jonny Bairstow: Feel sorry for Bairstow. His purple face when he fractured his finger will be forever in my memory, and how about the ball he got in the second innings? A luckless Test, but great fight to come out and bat injured. 3
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| Felt really sorry for Jonny Bairstow. |
Ben Stokes: Back from court, and put in a much improved second innings performance with both bat and ball. Great second innings fight. Still believe he is nowhere near his absolute best form. Down on pace a little with the ball. 6.5
Jos Buttler: The man in a few people’s firing line when Ben Stokes came back to the side, given Sam Curran’s amazing form. Like Hardik Pandya proved Michael Holding wrong, so too did Jos Buttler. Magnificent second innings century. Even took some catches in the slips. An England player took catches in the slips. Unbelievable. 8.5
Chris Woakes: Took the first three Indian wickets to fall, but then a relatively quiet Test thereafter. Always hard to back up a Lord’s performance like he had, I guess. 6
Adil Rashid: Had a “fresh air” Test at Lord’s as Bumble Lloyd likes to say. Adil is actually not bowling too badly for someone so bereft of red ball cricket, and showed good fight in his second innings batting display. 5
Stuart Broad: Some cracking deliveries that didn’t get wickets. A cracking send off to a 20-year old deburant. England may have gone home empty-handed in this Test, but not Broad, who picked up a nice demerit point for his efforts. 6
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| BE CAREFUL BROADY |
James Anderson: Some special bowling, going past the edge countless times, and watching catches go down more regularly than Kim Kardashian acts stupidly. 7
India
Shikhar Dhawan: I saw a comment that Shikhar’s performance in this Test is worth the same as a century against Sri Lanka on familiar pitches. After getting through the first hour on the first morning, he should have been knighted! Can he get starts again, and then build on them? 7
KL Rahul: Same as Shikhar. Involved in two 60-run stands that got India off on the right foot. Took seven slip catches out of seven attempts. 7.5
Cheteshwar Pujara: His breakthrough Test in England. Very challenging conditions for batting, but dug deep. Nasser Hussain rightly said on commentary that teams need a Pujara in their team. Super effort. 8
Virat Kohli: I officially announce August 21 as “Hug a Kohli Hater” Day. They are all going through a tough time at the moment, so show them some love. For the second time this series, Virat Kohli has struck 200 runs in a Test. Do yourself a favour and read five amazing Kohli stats. Dominating. 10
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| August 21 is a new special day on the calendar |
Ajinkya Rahane: A key part of India’s success in this Test. Reminded us why he has a good overseas record. The way he played, especially in the first dig, it was almost as if Rahane had the attitude of “doubt me? Watch.” 8
Rishabh Pant: Off the mark with a six (no surprises there), and while there were positives such as his first day batting and five first innings catches, he has lots to work on. With the gloves, he often goes to the leg side initially, which means he has to travel further to take a catch. Also, with the bat, would he be able to play the moving ball effectively? Remains to be seen. 6
Hardik Pandya: Yeah Holding, talk nah. In this case, it is also “yeah Coorey, talk nah.” In my India side for this Test, I had Hardik Pandya missing out to cater for an extra batsman. Boy, did I have to eat my words. Great performance. 9
Ravichandran Ashwin: Hip problem and still did a job for his captain. Took the winning wicket for India, going for less than two an over in 22.5 second innings overs. 6
Mohammed Shami: Consistency is not his best friend. Bit all over the place at times, mixed with good deliveries. With Bhuvneshwar Kumar all but ruled out of the final two Tests, Shami’s position is safe, but needs greater consistency. 3
Jasprit Bumrah: What an addition to the side. Caused further pain to Michael Holding, who said he is not a good option with the new ball for India. Boy, did he prove him wrong. Tougher Test for Holding than England’s slip fielders and batsmen. Magnificent bowling by Bumrah, and acknowledged Test cricket is a patience game. Good signs. 9
Ishant Sharma: Cooked Alastair Cook again. All over the England opener. Bowling well, is Ishant. Another solid outing with four wickets. 7.5
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So, there we have it.
Series alive, and I’m a happy man again.
The fourth Test could be a close one with the series nearing its end. All to play for!
Thanks for reading.
