Former England spinner Graeme Swann has stated that tourists should not blame the pitch for the paltry performance with the bat in the first innings of the third Test match.
The visitors won the crucial toss but could only manage 112 runs in the first innings as they crumbled like a pack of cards.
The pitch was once again challenging but it was not unplayable and the English batsmen failed to show any kind of gumption in their batting. In fact, England was 74-2 at one stage and they were going well but they lost the last eight wickets for only 38 wickets.
Meanwhile, the second Test pitch at Chepauk had also come under scrutiny and a lot of cricket boffins had criticized it. However, Swann believes it not right to blame the pitch and the English batsmen were not up to the mark. Only Zak Crawley was able to get going as he scored a fine fifty but the rest of the visitors’ batsmen struggled to get going.
Swann said while talking to Star Sports, “You can’t blame the pitch; it is what it is. England has turned out, and they got a turning pitch. They have got to expect it as they have been vulnerable on a turning pitch. Some of the dismissals were like rabbits stuck in the headlights, stuck in the crease. They need to be more proactive. It’s tough as a batsman, but England has to do better.”
Axar Patel was the chief destroyer as the left-arm orthodox spinner scalped six wickets for 38 runs. The off-spinner bowled an accurate line and length and it was his straight deliveries that did the bulk of the damage. Swann praised Patel for his accurate bowling.
“India bowled superbly, Axar bowled very well. Interestingly, when you watch these wickets, very few were caused by the ball spinning. A lot of it is by balls that have gone straight on. Axar got six wickets there. England must go to the change room and think about what they could have done differently.” Swann added.
There is no doubt that the Indian pitches are challenging but the England batsmen have failed to show any kind of application at the crease. The visitors are not applying themselves and it is leading to the downfall of the team.
Meanwhile, India has already scored 99-3 and they trail by only 13 runs. Thus, the hosts are in a commanding position and they will look to build on their lead.
