by sussexpob » Fri Feb 21, 2020 10:12 am
Hard to be critical of the India top order, it was a tough morning to bat. With overcast skies and a green pitch, the bowlers didnt really struggle to find movement on off to challenge the batsman, and the ball wasnt really coming onto the bat in a consistent way. Some balls got big on the batsman out of nowhere, others hit the pitch and die a little, so its really difficult to judge your timing to get into strokes. A couple of shorter balls for instance beat the bat with a surprising amount of pace coming off the wicket (I think it was Shaw who tried to play a cut shot and ended up wildly hacking at one that bounced a lot higher than a previous ball), then not long after you see a batsman top edging one because he's into the stroke way too early after the ball almost stops when it bounces.
The wind also played its part. Most balls swung in from the hand as normal, but every now and then the ball got hit by the breeze, and it creates a lethal type of late swing where the wind gust holds the swing momentarily, before the ball eventually moves in late at the last moment. Combined with the ball seaming enough, I think the Indians were guessing a lot.
I've seen criticism of Shaw being squared up by a half volley, but I to me that ball was verging on unplayable, and flat out unplayable when you think of how the ball had behaved before it. Its easy to say he didnt get forward, but had he took a stride in on that line on 95% of balls in the innings, he'd get wrapped on the pad as the late swing and seam beats him. With that ball, it swings in and seams away, I'd like to have seen the very best batters in history getting bat on it. Same with Pujara, ball comes in, bounces a lot more than other balls, cuts away. Tip your hat to the bowler, nothing you can do about that.
2010 French Open fantasy league guru 2010 Wimbledon fantasy league guru 2014 Masters golf fantasy guru 2015 Players Championship FL Guru 2016 Masters Golf Fantasy Guru
And a hat and bra to you too, my good sirs!