The third Test between England and India is finely poised after KL Rahul helped steer the visitors to 145-3 at the close of the second day, despite Jofra Acher’s best efforts.
Archer returned to the side for his first game in four years, and picked up a wicket wit his third ball of the innings. After Joe Root made 100, Chris Woakes and Ben Stokes also struck, but India offered solid resistance.
After an intriguing second day at Lord’s, Mail Sport delivers its latest edition of BUMBLE AT THE TEST.
A good night’s sleep
Schoolboy error from myself as I wandered up to Primrose Hill after play and kicked off with a very quaffable neck oil. It was so good, I had a few more and life became a bit of a blur after that.
I then finished up with Philip Tufnell, Simon Jones and Richard Blakey, who is the author of that wonderful book ‘Taking it From Behind’. Anyways, I slept very well.
Leave the ladybirds alone!
As I was going about my business in the morning, the swarm of ladybirds appeared again and the ground staff were dispersed to all parts in combat. Is dealing with ladybirds in the job description?
As an avid gardener, I can reveal that pollinators like ladybirds are excellent for the environment and must be left well alone. Not belted with a cricket bat!
The place to be.. or not
Lord’s has always been a social scene. The place to be and the place to be seen. The Harris Garden is gorgeous and packed with picnickers, sunbathers and chatters.
That now extends to the Nursery Ground, where a section is cordoned off for picnics. It’s marvellous. However, the stands are half empty because they’re all elsewhere. Is that a good thing? Discuss…
Back with a bang
Well, he is back. Archer got a wonderful warm reception when he came to bat but they were here to watch him bowl.
You could see the emotion when he dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal with a beauty and the genuine affection from all of his team-mates. As The Everly Brothers said at the Royal Albert Hall in 1983, ‘It’s good to be back.’
A collector’s item
I attended a charity event for ‘Cricket Beyond Boundaries’ who bring underprivileged Indian cricketers to England. I gave the founder, Dr Samir Pathak, a book to auction off and said to him ‘You’ll want to have a look inside’.
He duly did and inside was the signature of Mr Sachin Tendulkar. The Doctor was chuffed. Back when I’d tour, I’d always get a good book and get one of the best players from that country to sign it. The good old days.
Get him up the order!
Brydon Carse is settling in nicely with this England side. From his showing during the 84-run partnership with Jamie Smith, he seems a far better batter than a No 9.
Carse looked assured at the crease, with an array of proper shots and he can defend. If he continues in the same manner, he will turn into a genuine all-rounder.
Better than meets the stats
The more I see of KL Rahul, the more I like. He seems to be an unflappable opening batter.
Rahul weathered the Archer storm admirably, especially the short stuff and he shows such a calmness at the crease. So I was staggered to discover that such an accomplished player, with 60 Test caps, only averages 34. Those numbers do not reflect his elegance with the bat.
