OMG the nerves really have got to Hartley. He's resorted to rank long hops as a result of the pressure applied by Jaiswal. Two overs for 25 to date. But as Rob Key was at pains to stress Hartley was a better option than Dawson.
Hartley and Rehan are, effectively, having to learn their craft playing Test cricket against the best players of spin in the world. But that's fine according to Key because wickets in the CC are worthless!
To be fair to Stokes, Cook would not have given Hartley at third over. In fact, Cook wouldn't have ever bowled him again in international cricket. He might not get a fourth over given he has now gone for 34 and we are defending 246
It is quite bizarre that India are taking the game to us in the way that we were known for doing prior to this series. Whereas we went right into our shell and didn't exert any pressure 'til we were 8 down. It's almost as if some of our players, such as the debutant Hartley or Pope haven't played a game of cricket since last June and September respectively. Who needs to go to India a few weeks before the Test series and play some games eh Rob?
Really highlighting how dim it was to not take Dawson.
See my comments re Dawson. I suspect that, as he has never been given a proper chance and isn't centrally contracted, he's indicated that he's not prepared to be a bit part player on less money than he earns in the SA20 with more certainty too that he has a future career in franchise T20 than playing for England.
We've succeeded in creating a situation where we aren't producing experienced spinners and have had to turn to a couple that have barely 50 FC wickets between them.
Yes it's a bunsen, but when your bowling strength is with your seamers rather than your spinners, surely England be better off with a more experienced and conventional attack?
The spinners are just cannon fodder anyway, would the likes of Robinson, Woakes, Sam Curran etc be any worse?
Fair play to Stokes for persevering with Hartley who has bowled a couple of beauties in this over. One of those, unfortunately, has caused us to waste a second review inside a dozen overs.
Comments
Spinner being hit for 6 from his first ball in just the 2nd over.
Go England !
Looks like India are doing the opposite against our spin.
Then they brought their spinners on. Perhaps we should take ours off ?
We've succeeded in creating a situation where we aren't producing experienced spinners and have had to turn to a couple that have barely 50 FC wickets between them.
The spinners are just cannon fodder anyway, would the likes of Robinson, Woakes, Sam Curran etc be any worse?