- England were well beaten by India in the second Test of the five-match series
- Mail Sport’s David Lloyd, AKA Bumble, reviews the major talking points after day five of the second Test between England and India at Edgbaston on Sunday
England were well beaten in the second Test against India at Edgbaston with the visitors levelling the series 1-1.
The hosts went into the final day knowing that a draw was the best they could hope for after being set a huge target of 608 to chase.
They were unable to hold on, however, and were bowled out for 271 with 27 overs still remaining.
Here, Mail Sport presents the latest edition of BUMBLE AT THE TEST.
Here’s a Deep cut
Send for Adele! England were rolling in the deep in this match. When they almost had it all, Akash came along and they wish they’d never met him. Tears are gonna fall and he will leave scars to remind them…
When they get to Lord’s, that is.
Bowlers’ beef with the pitch
There are rumblings from the England camp that too much grass was taken off an Edgbaston pitch from which India’s pacers extracted more movement than their counterparts.
The India bowlers are generally shorter in stature and their deliveries just kiss the surface, as opposed to England’s taller men who hit the pitch hard. It’s slow nature nullified their pace.
Bumrah’s licking his lips
No time to panic, but a stiff drink is in order. A no-show from five of England’s top six against an India attack minus the best fast bowler in the world is cause for concern.
It seems we have to put up with Zak Crawley’s inconsistency come what may, while Ollie Pope reverted to his frenetic style. A quiet game for Joe Root is a rarity. Be warned. Jasprit Bumrah will be back at Lord’s and India are no pushovers.
Many better options than Bashir
There will be noise now around England’s team selection, but save your breath where the batters are concerned. The bowling attack is where change will come. Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, if fit, and Sam Cook are good options to come in.
And what about the spin department? India are very comfortable clattering Shoaib Bashir. Liam Dawson should be considered, and I like what I’ve seen of Rehan Ahmed this season. Even Jacob Bethell would be a better choice.
Time for suits to stump up!
This media business is hard work, I tell thee — and one needs sustenance. A bacon roll in the morning goes down a treat, followed by a nice lunch. A sandwich at tea wouldn’t go amiss, though.
Apparently there are budget cuts across all Test grounds that are affecting the catering for His Majesty’s Press. It’s a bit mean. Surely, with £500million about to hit English cricket’s bank accounts from the Hundred sale, they can afford some loaves of bread!
My sympathy for exiled openers
Three opening batters we have seen before, Dom Sibley, Haseeb Hameed and Alex Lees, could be forgiven for thinking this England team is a closed shop.
All three are better players now than when they played for their country and they’re in stellar form, too. Sibley has 976 at 75 for Surrey, Nottinghamshire’s Hameed 848 at 70 and Lees, of Durham, 741 at 53. Hameed boasts the best strike rate of the trio, having expanded his game.
