The second day of the test. India felling they had the better of the first day despite that late resistance from Broad and Swann. England looking to take wickets and restrict India to an smallish score. For India it was all about playing there natural game. India got through the first half hour without any alarms until Anderson got an ball through Laxman there seems to be an edge. The appeal referred by the umpire and it seems as it had hit something but nothing showed on hot spot and the benefit of the doubt went in favour of the batsman. Despite that chance the Indians the Indians looked at ease. As soon as they got to after after 26 overs the Indians then started to see the runs flow much easier. The conditions were much nicer to bat on and these 2 showed there class. An drinks they were 74-1 with Laxman closing in on 50. He got to an 50 an few overs after the drinks break as these 2 looked to try and get to lunch without losing an wicket. After drinks England seemed they were bowling more hostile and giving Laxman short balls to rough him up. The ploy worked as Laxman got an couple of short balls from Bresnan and then pitched a ball up where Laxman played at and was caught by Prior as they broke the partnership as India were 93-2.
This brought out Tendulkar and like Lords he got an standing obviation from the crowd being the icon he was. There wasnt too long till lunch but he did show off an couple of his classy shots the clip off the legs and the straight drive as they moved safely to lunch at 117-2 with Dravid 44 and Tendulkar 14. Just like day 1 the straight after the lunch break Tendulkar tried to drive an ball which was pitched up by Broad he edged it and Strauss caught it easily. Just the start England wanted and needed and just as it looked all good for England. But they were quickly reminded that an certain Dravid was at the other end and he reached his 50 off 131 balls with 10 fours in that 50 and even more bad news as Trott in the field seemed to click his shoulder and it looked like an dislocation and he was now rushed to hospital. Even though an injury happened to Trott the tide seem to be changing towards England as Raina struggled out there. He played one wonderful shot and hit one sneaking four he never looked comfortable and played an horrible shot as he hit an wide ball up from Anderson's bowling and Morgan took an simple catch.
The tide with England now as India were still 82 behind and only 6 wickets remaining. Then an chance to put England right back into the match when the new man Yuvraj hit an short ball from Broad straight to Pietersen and he missed an simple catch. England bowling now with real venom and style really made Yuvraj struggle. He was unable to read the ball and was felling the pressure. Dravid was able to guide him to drinks without any more chances. It was clear Dravid had to guide Yuvraj through the innings. England unable to get an wicket they made an double change in bring Bresnan and local boy and England hero Swann into the attack. Yuvraj ability to play spin very well actually decided to counter attack Swann. It seemed to work as he was such an super gifted to play spin and the pressure seemed to be off him as soon as the bowling changes were made. The pair calmly reached an 50 partnership in quick time in just 91 balls. Because of the pace they were bating after drinks they even had time to make 200 in the 70th over now just 21 behind and seemly like they will make an big lead. They calmly and easily made it to tea after drinks without many problems with just the odd short ball not played well as they were 215-4 just 6 runs behind as the partnership was 76 as 73 overs were bowled at the Indian innings.
The pair who are at the crease were closing in on personal milestones as Yuvraj was on 43 and Dravid 83. Just 3 overs after tea India were in the lead as they now looked to go ahead at 150 plus and try and really bat England out of the game with so much of the test match to go. Yuvraj was the first to make his milestone as he made an 50 off 94 balls with 9 fours in the process. It was followed by another super century by Dravid as he reached his 34th century 209 balls with 13 fours. An typical Dravid innings. In-between the achievements the 100 partnership was up in 165 balls and India made 250 as the new ball was taken straight away by Strauss's men. England knowing the new ball is crucial as this game could slip away from them very quickly.
It looked like India were handling the new ball very well until Broad got an ball really full and fast which Yuvraj could only knick to the wicket-keeper. The partnership finally broken putting together 128 in the process getting past England's score. Dhoni was the new man in short of runs tried to counter attack by hitting Broad for an boundary in that over but then the most extraordinary bowling by Broad got England back in the match. He got his revenge by getting Dhoni next over by getting an ball which just bounced an little more and Dhoni could only edge it to second slip for Anderson to take an simple catch. The next ball he got an super full ball which trapped Harbhajan straight in front. The question was did he edge it first or was it pad first the umpire thought pad gave it out even though replays shows bat before pad. This brought out Kumar and Broad bowled this super Yorker which bowled Kumar all ends up and he had an hat-trick. The place went mad as the home boy got an hat-trick. It was one of the most inspired bowling by Broad single handedly dragging England back into this match. Next over it got even better for England as Bresnan bowled an beauty to make Dravid play at the ball and edge it for Cook to do the rest. 4 wickets had gone down off 5 balls.
Despite an couple of shots by Sreesanth the innings was ended appropriately by Broad as Sreesanth partner Sharma edged an ball and Bell took an simple catch. An incredible turn around for England as they fought back from 267-4 to 288 all out and at one point 4 wickets fell for no runs as Broad bowled one of the great spells by an fast bowling in test cricket. Broad finishing with figures with 6-48 as England were just 68 runs behind when it could easily be 150 plus and keeping England well in this match. England having an similar period like India yesterday an 1 hour to survive. Just like India England also lost an quick wicket despite hitting an nice boundary off his legs off Sharma's bowling he edged Sharma in his next over and Yuvraj caught it easily. It was an 4th fail for Cook in a row as England were 6-1. Because of Trott being injured they promoted Bell to number 3. A position he played before Trott played there. Despite the wicket India didnt seem to put any more pressure on the England batsman as they were able to leave too many balls. An couple of nice shots but survived easily as England finished on 24-1 the same score India were after day 1 and still 43 behind.
Another super day of test cricket. The start of the day India looked on top as they only lost one wicket before lunch. Tendulkar and Dravid in but after lunch England had an super first hour and got 3 more wickets as they looked to be coming back. The turning point seemed when Yuvraj was dropped early in the innings which should have been taken. India made them pay as they put on over 100 partnership and Yuvraj making 50 and Dravid century but Broad's spell with the new ball getting from 267-4 to 288 all out with an hat-trick in between and 4 wickets for no runs. England still behind by 43 behind and losing an wicket and probably losing Trott so India still ahead of the game but England have given themselves an chance. England needing 2 or 3 big partnerships time isnt an issue as half the test match hasnt finished and we are already into the second innings so time at the crease is the order of the day. For India an couple of early wickets will really put England in trouble with Morgan not in form not an fully fit Trott and the tail end will be under a lot of pressure to deliver again if they get early wickets. Set up for an big 3rd day where the test match might be decided who is in front on this match and how it might pan out.
No comments:
Post a Comment