After four days of a top-tier contest between England and India, it was disappointing to sit and watch the rain fall and the pre-prepared rain-delay highlights packages instead of what promised to be a gripping final day. With India needing 157 runs for victory and England requiring nine wickets, overcast conditions, and a second innings battle between two modern legends in James Anderson and Virat Kohli expected to be electrifying, especially considering Anderson removed Kohli for a golden duck in the first innings. Both captains believed they had a big chance of a win and aggressive cricket was ensured. But, cricket being cricket, it was rained out. I’m not sure who my money was on, it would all have depended on the first hour, but we’ll never know.
What we do know is that English captain Joe Root is back in form, scoring 64 and 109 to win the man-of-the-match award, but he needs some support from those around him. Without established players Ben Stokes and Ollie Pope available, he needs support from the much-maligned top three of Rory Burns, Dom Sibley and Zak Crawley.
Burns bought himself some time with recent runs against New Zealand, including 132 in the First Test that showcased his ability to up the tempo and score quickly when required. Still, his place in this series and in England’s Ashes plans, as can be said for his opening partner.
Sibley is facing plenty of balls, but scoring runs continues to look difficult despite spending plenty of time at the crease.
Crawley on the other hand played some beautiful shots in the first innings, particularly through the covers. However lapses in concentration once again proved his downfall, as they have since his 267 against Pakistan last year. A rest from the pressure of the Test arena seems necessary, but with no red-ball cricket to return to England are left with a difficult choice, especially with The Ashes in mind.
It seems unlikely that Jonny Bairstow will play in the First Test of The Ashes later this year, but he will rue not going on with some really solid starts. Despite not playing any recent red-ball cricket he looked composed and compact, and will be frustrated with his second innings dismissal, where he was out for 30. He smashed a short ball from pacer Mohammad Siraj straight to Ravindra Jadeja in the deep, allowing Siraj to win a fiery battle.
Dan Lawrence will be feeling much the same after his second innings start of 25 of 32 balls, as will Jos Buttler, who looked rusty in the first innings but solid in the second, only to misjudge a leave and be bowled for 17.
England’s bowling isn’t under a microscope anywhere near as heavy. Ollie Robinson returned and took a maiden five wicket haul that showed the persistence in the county game that has earned him his position in the English lineup. He will feel confident a place in The Ashes squad could be earned, especially considering Jofra Archer’s year-ending injuries. James Anderson was also at his accurate best, taking four wickets in the first innings and conceding just 2.34 runs an over. They’ll be pleased with their efforts in the first innings, however the wicketless Broad and Curran will need to tighten their economies or start taking wickets (or both) to silence any critics. With four more Tests to come and the Ashes on the horizon they will shuffle their bowlers around to manage workload, but should be reasonably happy with their First Test performances.
What we don’t know is how England will balance their lineup throughout the series, with factors including form, match fitness and workload to manage. It will be very interesting to see the team they go into the Second Test with when it begins tonight, and with Broad already ruled out injured and Anderson’s calf possibly still keeping him from playing back-to-back Tests. An unfamiliar bowling combination of Robinson, Curran, Wood, Overton or perhaps a debut for Saqib Mahmood will be an interesting insight into the future of English fast bowling. The three or four they select to partner Moeen remains to be seen. Haseeb Hameed is also a solid chance of a Test recall, considering his County form and the confidence of his warm-up 100. Ollie Pope is nearing a return, so all of the English batsman will be on notice in this match.
What we know about India’s batting is that their opening combination are making batting look a lot easier in unfamiliar conditions. Rohit Sharma and particularly KL Rahul, who made scores of 84 and 26 in the First Test, looked in control. It’s the engine room that has shown up as an area of concern.
Cheteshwar Pujara hasn’t hit a 50 in nine innings, Virat Kohli has averaged 23 in 15 innings since the beginning of 2020, and in the 13 innings since his sparkling innings of 112 against Australia Ajinkya Rahane has averaged 20.61. This modern trio have been the backbone of India’s batting for the last decade, and their response will be intriguing as they line up against a more inexperienced English bowling attack in the Second Test.
Rishabh Pant’s keeping may have improved but his batting still lacks some polish, however England will be wary of his match-turning ability, recalling his blistering 114 at The Oval in 2018.
Ravindra Jadeja’s strong batting form continued into the First Test, as he hit another 50. His batting has turned a corner since the beginning of 2019, with seven fifties in 17 innings proving invaluable to India’s sometimes vulnerable lower order. Their bowling was classy in the First Test, however the loss of pacer Shardul Thakur will lead to a change of structure. This may lead to a recall for R Ashwin or Ishant Sharma. Jasprit Bumrah’s nine wicket haul led the charge for the tourists, while Mohammad Siraj continued to show in patches that he is a worthy member of the team despite the strength in Indian pace bowling at present.
What we don’t know is what India are planning on doing with R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja going forward. Ashwin was a surprise omission in the First Test, however the successes of Jadeja with the bat and Thakur with the ball justified it. His career is far from over, but it will be interesting to see how he is used in future series. There is a lot less discussion surrounding the Indian team in terms of selection at the moment, however their middle order will be relishing and opportunity to make a statement and put some big scores and potentially etch their names into the Lord’s honours board.
The excitement around this clash is palpable and shows the evergreen appeal of good old fashioned Test cricket. Looking forward to tuning in to plenty of this match and discussing its outcome, and with sunny weather forecast for Lord’s rain looks unlikely to play spoilsport in this match.
Russ Haylock Sportswriting 