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| KP - The mauler celebrates his century. |
England report card - read as name: TWP performance score (1st innings; 2nd innings)
(pass = 4/10; DNB = Did not bat)
Alstair Cook: 10/10 - (122 runs; 18* runs)
Cook once again was unmovable as a boulder as he was at Ahmedabad and set up England's first innings beautifully with Kevin Pietersen. His heroic century unlike last time did not go in vain and as a captain, there is nothing more that Cook would have loved than leading from the front in a memorable win. Cook looks very technically sound and has proven to be a thorn in the Indian bowlers side so far and England will be hoping that the trend continues. It's always good to have a very consistent opener at the top and Cook gives England just that. His huge 206 run partnership with KP was the highlight of the test and when they were batting the pitch looked as if it was a feather bed with no demons. Great batsmen have that ability to make unsuitable conditions look very conducive to batting and there's no doubt if Cook is a great batsman.
Nick Compton: 5/10 - (29 runs; 30* runs)
Playing just his second match, Compton still looked very much at sea against the spinners on a turning track. However he showed much grit and determination and tried to desperately survive making his way to 29 in the first innings before he eventually succumbed. However by then he had done his job and put on a half century partnership for the first wicket. In the second innings with just a handful of runs to get, he looked completely different and played some expansive shots and looked to dominate the bowlers, which he successfully did. Compton wasn't very special, but nevertheless his contributions were vital and by the looks of it he seems to be getting acclimatized slowly to the Indian conditions.
Jonathan Trott: 0/10 - (duck; DNB)
Trott had another horrible test match and bagged yet another duck. He is woefully out of form and that is a big worry for England. Trott has been one of England's most consistent performers for the last 3 years, but now all the sudden looks very ordinary. He'd be hoping his fortunes quickly turn around.
Kevin Pietersen: 10/10 - (186 runs; DNB)
What does one say about KP's knock at Mumbai? It was one of pure genius and one that defied all logic. Something which only KP can provide. And to think England were thinking twice over his inclusion in the team before the tour! I have absolutely no words to describe his knock. It was just outstanding to watch him play the Indian spinners on a turning wicket that offered them assistance as if he was batting against some school boys. All his other teammates except for Cook struggled and when these two batted the world stood still and the natural order of things reversed. KP's 186 came in just 233 balls and that just tells you the ferocity of the innings. It completely knocked all wind from the Indian players and they meekly capitulated in the second innings. Few can play the innings that KP played, and a score of 10/10 is a disgrace to such a knock. It surely must be above all scales. 14/10 perhaps?
Jonny Bairstow: 4/10 - (9 runs; DNB)
Bairstow had a regrettable start in Indian conditions. He was unlucky to be given out as the ball bounced of the grille of a helmet before the catch was taken. However Bairstow was very impressive fielding at short leg and silly point and made a few difficult catches look very easy. As Ian Bell is likely to return for the next test, he'd be unfortunate if he is dropped.
Samit Patel: 4/10 - (26 runs; DNB)
Samit Patel's role in the match was very different from that of the previous test. Here he was more of a batsman and he bowled just 4 overs in the match. There was much to be desired from his batting, but nevertheless he stuck it out in the middle and bid his time, scoring some vital runs for England that eventually helped put them ahead. With Monty definitely in the team, Patel's role is more of batting and he better pull up his socks and contribute with more runs.
Matt Prior: 4/10 - (21 runs; DNB)
What does one say about KP's knock at Mumbai? It was one of pure genius and one that defied all logic. Something which only KP can provide. And to think England were thinking twice over his inclusion in the team before the tour! I have absolutely no words to describe his knock. It was just outstanding to watch him play the Indian spinners on a turning wicket that offered them assistance as if he was batting against some school boys. All his other teammates except for Cook struggled and when these two batted the world stood still and the natural order of things reversed. KP's 186 came in just 233 balls and that just tells you the ferocity of the innings. It completely knocked all wind from the Indian players and they meekly capitulated in the second innings. Few can play the innings that KP played, and a score of 10/10 is a disgrace to such a knock. It surely must be above all scales. 14/10 perhaps?
Jonny Bairstow: 4/10 - (9 runs; DNB)
Bairstow had a regrettable start in Indian conditions. He was unlucky to be given out as the ball bounced of the grille of a helmet before the catch was taken. However Bairstow was very impressive fielding at short leg and silly point and made a few difficult catches look very easy. As Ian Bell is likely to return for the next test, he'd be unfortunate if he is dropped.
Samit Patel: 4/10 - (26 runs; DNB)
Samit Patel's role in the match was very different from that of the previous test. Here he was more of a batsman and he bowled just 4 overs in the match. There was much to be desired from his batting, but nevertheless he stuck it out in the middle and bid his time, scoring some vital runs for England that eventually helped put them ahead. With Monty definitely in the team, Patel's role is more of batting and he better pull up his socks and contribute with more runs.
Matt Prior: 4/10 - (21 runs; DNB)
Prior looked in great touch during his limited time in the middle and he must be kicking himself for getting out run-out. He was in an aggressive mood and could have damaged the Indians more, had he not had a rush of blood moment. Prior's keeping was good to the spinners and he looks to be in good form all-round.
Stuart Broad: 0/10 - (6 runs; DNB)
Stuart Broad like Trott had a forgettable match. His 12 overs in the match went for 60 runs and Cook lost all faith in him that he never even bowled him during India's second innings. He went without a wicket yet again and it will be interesting to see if England persist with an out of form bowler who has failed miserably in two tests till now.
Swann along with Monty Panesar were the wreckers in chief of the Indian batting order. Swann looked very impressive again and picked up 8 Indian wickets in the match. He bowled beautifully and worked in tandem with Monty. I think Swann is the best spinner currently and has a lovely action and approach that kids would do well to watch and learn. Unlike the two Indian off-spinners, Swann bowled the conventional off-stump line, spinning the ball into the right hander and made the most of the track. It's not often that someone who picks up 8 wickets in a test match takes the back seat, but that just tells how great Monty Panesar bowled.
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| Panesar goes full Monty! |
Anderson of old seemed to be back and he got a wicket of the very second ball of the match trapping Gambhir leg before. He didn't bowl many overs as expected on a spinning track but nevertheless looked very different from the first test. He got the ball to reverse swing and managed to keep the pressure as the two spinners did their magic.
Monty Panesar: 10/10 - (4 runs & 5 wickets; DNB & 6 wickets)
A ten wicket haul in a test match is always special and for Monty Panesar it was the dream comeback. None of the Indian batsmen had any answer to his fast, left-arm spin which was a delight to watch even for an Indian fan. There's just something so joyful watching Monty operate. He's like a young boy lost in a world full of toys, and one can see the passion and delight in those huge eyes of his at the opportunity of playing for England again. Panesar managed to snare the great Sachin Tendulkar at his home twice making the 'son of sardar', Mumbai's most hated man. He sure did manage to show England what they missed in the very first test and has pretty much cemented his place in the side with this performance. In Swann he found a willing ally and together they ripped through the Indian batting, one which is known for playing spin bowling particularly well. It's great to see Monty back in action and surely he has gone 'full Monty'!
England outplayed India in all departments and it was a great victory for the visitors. Their score of 5.5 compared to India's score of 3.1 tells it's own story. It is also a vast improvement from their previous team score of 3.5 at Ahmadabad. England still have a couple of zeros in their ranks which they will need to think about. However they would be mighty pleased by this performance and be looking to now perhaps even win a historical series in India.
You can also check out team India's report card of the Mumbai test, here.
1 Comments:
Well one could say that it was a combined team effort but you must credit Kevin Pieterson for his brilliant knock and he delivered when it mattered and it was needed badly.The spinners did a great job too and as far as fast bowlers are concerned I think England should rest Stuart Broad and should give a chance to a youngster.For India it was like their own plans turned against them as they made a spin-friendly pitch and they, themselves couldn't handle it nicely.The third installment of theis series would be a good one to watch because this series is very much alive.
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