England V India Test Match Series 2021

Whilst I accept that the umpires will only change a ball when it fails the gauge check, it is having far too much of an influence on the course of the game, as well as causing constant delays, adding to an already slow over-rate. In some cases players have tried it on with the umpires more that once in the same over. I understand that there has been a quality issue with this years Dukes balls, but it's become a farce, & has happened for some time now. Bowlers seem to use it as an excuse as to why they aren't taking wickets, after a few unsuccessful overs, the default setting it to try for a ball change, & as was the case with the Kiwi's when the one in use was actually swinging. I always thought that a major part of the game was the openers to take the shine off the ball, for the middle order to bat with more ease, & if a ball goes for six & gets a little scuffed up, it's just part of the natural wearing process. Far me, a ball chance should only occur when there's damage to the seam or quarter seam, or when a piece of leather is ripped. The ball should pass through one ring & not the other, without applying force, just the weight of the ball. I think they are looking for too tight a tolerance, & a change should only occur when it is severely out of round.
Todays ball change started England's mini collapse, yes poor judgement from Crawley, but, a different ball, offered different swing, & contributed to his dismissal.

wondering if the pitch is slowing

(04-07-2022 20:37 )lovebabes56 Wrote:  wondering if the pitch is slowing

^^ Didn't matter one way or the other in the end!! England made a mockery of such a run change. On the ball issue, both teams 'tried it on' a bit too much, but for the sake of the contest, maybe there needs to be room for another ball supplier/manufacturer to produce a ball that 'does a (little) bit more' throughout - particularly if the administrators are determined not to demand that pitches are contest driven (relative term), rather than batsman friendly. Less/No rolling, slightly underprepared etc?? Yes this pitch was probably a day underused with the weather issues etc, but still - it should respond more to the seamers in particular - but also spin from earlier in the match and then throughout. It can be done without creating a minefield. Also, as I said before, the ball change should come down from 80 overs to 60 or 65. Mind you, India were getting swing (reverse) but got the ball changed regardless. Not the wisest tactical decision perhaps.

All in all though, as I say, England made it look easy whatever about the ball, and the Indian tactics. They are like a runaway train at the moment!

An unbroken 4th wicket partnership of 269, between Root & Bairstow propelled England to victory. As Jonny said " just 2 lads from Yorkshire"

The way England chase down 4th innings targets now I can see every other team being very reluctant to set anything less than 500 for them to get. That could well mean more draws from games as sides batting 3rd bat too long to ensure they don't lose. An interesting time for test cricket as other teams have to address the challenges that England are setting them

^you could be right about targets but I would wager getting up at 550 would be setting a mammoth task but it's not going to help once Broad and Anderson retire they are going to be big boots to fill by those coming through, we need to have an attack capable of bowling sides out cheaply as possible in BOTH innings = not just the first. The one thing I do hope ask is do you think the Test nations should expand further enough in future to present England different challenges though?? But a great win anda great boosr for the ciountry as a whole that we have a world beating side.