Is the pitch getting easier - or better application by the batters ?
Both. Akash Deep had a great 7 overs where the ball was flying off the seam where in his spell after lunch he just didn't get the same help from the pitch.
Then Root and Fokes just played sensible except once when Root nearly went LBW when going for a sweep but just got a bit of bat on the delivery
England are well in this game for the simple reason that they've won the toss and batted, which is a far bigger guarantor of success than any other in India
I sometimes wonder what the incentive is for counties to produce players, seeing that you won't get a transfer fee if they get poached by another county, and if they're good at T20, they'll probably spend most of the year playing in the franchise leagues. And if they play for England, you'll hardly see them!
Much easier to pick up journeymen from other counties, or from overseas (with a UK passport).
I’ve had a similar argument on the Sussex members forum. Chris Jordan disappeared once he became an England/T20 player. Ollie Robinson made two CC appearances last year. Personally, I think Sussex would be stronger with promising youngsters plus a few journeymen playing week in week out. Others disagree.
I don't know if this would be financially possible for the ECB, but how about however much a player gets from a central contract, they also pay the county say 50% of that amount contract as well, which enables them to get in similar replacements from overseas or at least fund a larger academy/2nd XI
This is a really good idea, but I think it needs one very important amendment.
Has Robinson got himself in shape or had a few bad doses of the trots looks like he’s lost a bit of timber
By all accounts he has been working really hard on losing weight and building up his fitness. The proof will be when he gets to bowl and the number of overs he is capable of bowling.
Comments
Both.
Akash Deep had a great 7 overs where the ball was flying off the seam where in his spell after lunch he just didn't get the same help from the pitch.
Then Root and Fokes just played sensible except once when Root nearly went LBW when going for a sweep but just got a bit of bat on the delivery
Six to bring up the 100+ !!!
Good knock but disappointing way to get out
Hartley b Siraj 13
If Joe wants a 100 then he will have to go for it as we are on to the tail.
looks like he’s lost a bit of timber
4 hours + of concentration now 279/7 after being 112/5 back in the morning session.
Didnt think I'd be saying that when I woke up at 7am to see we were 112/5.
Root 102* (226)
Robinson 31* (60)
To finish on 302 for 7 was a great comeback.
England done it by batting properly as well.
Have to wait to see India bat on it but it definitely appeared the hardest pitch to bat on in my opinion.
The first and final session was almost polar opposite in terms of the pitch.