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Thoughts of day three at Nagpur
By Will 2 years ago, at the start of March Leave a comment on this post
England’s day? Just about, but India will be over the moon at the wonderful hundred partnership between Anil Kumble and Mohammad Kaif. Were it not for that pair, India would have been bowled out for a really paltry total. Indeed, that would have been all the more probable 12-18 months ago, but this Indian side are tougher than they used to be. Tougher they might be, but they remain vulnerable to the swinging delivery and were brilliantly exposed by Matthew Hoggard who, at one stage, had figures of 4 for 6. This Test is alive and kicking and intriguingly poised.
The late strikes by England has put them in charge. The lead of 71 doesn’t sound significant - it’s not a huge lead by any means - but come the fourth innings, it could prove invaluable. India’s number eleven, Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, has a batting average of 5.66 and ought not to make more than that. India need every run they can muster.
After the disasterous pre-series preparations afflicting England’s squad, they seem to be gelling as a team - led by Andrew Flintoff. But the big story of the day has been Monty Panesar. I know I effed and blinded about his over-the-wicket nonsense, but it’s a valid point. As soon as he reverted to bowling around the wicket, he grabbed a wicket - and the key one of Kaif who, until then, had batted sensibly if a little too obdurately. And what a pearler of a wicket it was. His first in Test cricket happened earlier in the day - none other than Sachin R Tendulkar! - but this second, late wicket was all the better. My Editor sums it up better than I can:
Perfectly flighted to drag the batsman forward, late dip to leave him stranded, and turn and bounce to detonate the middle and off stumps, the first Turbanation of the series had just been witnessed. Remarkably, however, it was England’s players who were doing the celebrations.
Well bowled, Monty. And well batted Kumbles.
Tags: anil-kumble, england, england-in-india, india, matthew-hoggard, mohammad-kaif, monty-panesar, pearler, sachin-tendulkar, Shanthakumaran-Sreesanth, Sreesanth |
One Response to “Thoughts of day three at Nagpur”
March 3rd, 2006 at 6.47 pm
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