With an emphatic end to its worst run of test cricket results in 28
years, England wasn’t quite ready to herald a turning point in the new
era or say a home series victory against India was within reach. Not
after a winless streak of seven losses and three draws since August last
year. England wrapped up the third test at the Rose Bowl on the last
morning, taking the last six wickets in 25 overs to bowl out India for
178 and win by 266 runs. It added up to a series tied at 1-1 with two to
go, and England immediately named an unchanged squad for the fourth
test at Old Trafford, starting in a week. But just when England’s
spirits were soaring, celebrations could be muted within 24 hours when
Anderson faces an International Cricket Council judicial hearing on a
charge of pushing and abusing India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja during
the first test three weeks ago. Anderson faces a ban of up to four
tests. If he is banned, England’s chances of beating India again will
nosedive. England won this test thanks to the first-innings knock of
569-7 declared against poor India fielding. India’s batting reply
cracked under the pressure twice.
Already in a deep hole at 112-4 overnight, India lost more early wickets and the necessary desire to bat out the fifth day for a draw. Anderson removed Rohit Sharma for 6 with his third ball of the day, and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni in his third over for 6, too. Ali then cleaned up the tail, giving him 15 wickets for the series, second overall only to Anderson, and tied with India’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Ajinkya Rahane was left stranded on 52 not out, his second half century of the test, and Dhoni was frustrated that a team usually adept at playing spinners was so poor against Moeen Ali’s off-spin.
Related Cricket News:-
Lanka drops Mendis
Sri Lanka has dropped spinner Ajantha Mendis and retained wicketkeeper batsman Niroshan Dickwella for the two-test series against Pakistan starting next week. Sri Lanka Cricket announced a 15-member squad which also includes seam bowler Nuwan Pradeep, who was part of the squad for the concluded series against South Africa. Dickwella was called in to replace Dinesh Chandimal in the second test against South Africa concluded earlier this week. He scored a half-century in his debut innings and also impressed as a wicketkeeper. Mendis was one of three spinners used in that test but went wicketless in the match as the visitors snatched a thrilling draw to win the two-match series 1-0. Sri Lanka has also named five pace bowlers in the squad, with the inclusion of Suranga Lakmal and Shaminda Eranga in the playing eleven dependent upon their fitness. The first test will start on August 6.
Squad
Angelo Mathews (captain), Lahiru Thirimanne, Kaushal Silva, Upul Tharanga, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Kithruwan Vithanage, Niroshan Dickwella, Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera, Shaminda Eranga, Suranga Lakmal, Chanaka Welagedara, Dhammika Prasad, Nuwan Pradeep.
Back in form
Alastair Cook was at his best in the third Test match against India. He contributed with his bat as well as captain of the ship. Apart from him , James Anderson was another performer. Alastair Cook, whose captaincy and position was on the line, unfurled 165 runs and was vibrant and clever on the field, and strike bowler James Anderson took seven wickets to become leading wicket-taker in the series. There was a bonus, as part-time off-spinner Moeen Ali took 6-67 in the second innings to fill the hole left by the retired Graeme Swann.
Moeen Ali puts India in a spin
Moeen Ali was considered a part time bowler but his match haul of 8-wicket has certainly raised the bar. Indian batsmen are known for their ability to handle spin better but were undone by some clever piece of bowling from Ali. Cook, who was reluctant to bowl Ali in the lost Sri Lanka series last month, praised him. “His level of improvement as a bowler, I haven’t seen in such a short space of time,” Cook said. “To adjust from bowling county cricket to a holding role at international cricket with the lengths you have to bowl, the lines, the speed, he has learnt really well. When he got on a wicket that spun a bit, he proved he is an attacking option as well.”
Source-http://www.crictoday.com
Already in a deep hole at 112-4 overnight, India lost more early wickets and the necessary desire to bat out the fifth day for a draw. Anderson removed Rohit Sharma for 6 with his third ball of the day, and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni in his third over for 6, too. Ali then cleaned up the tail, giving him 15 wickets for the series, second overall only to Anderson, and tied with India’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Ajinkya Rahane was left stranded on 52 not out, his second half century of the test, and Dhoni was frustrated that a team usually adept at playing spinners was so poor against Moeen Ali’s off-spin.
Related Cricket News:-
Lanka drops Mendis
Sri Lanka has dropped spinner Ajantha Mendis and retained wicketkeeper batsman Niroshan Dickwella for the two-test series against Pakistan starting next week. Sri Lanka Cricket announced a 15-member squad which also includes seam bowler Nuwan Pradeep, who was part of the squad for the concluded series against South Africa. Dickwella was called in to replace Dinesh Chandimal in the second test against South Africa concluded earlier this week. He scored a half-century in his debut innings and also impressed as a wicketkeeper. Mendis was one of three spinners used in that test but went wicketless in the match as the visitors snatched a thrilling draw to win the two-match series 1-0. Sri Lanka has also named five pace bowlers in the squad, with the inclusion of Suranga Lakmal and Shaminda Eranga in the playing eleven dependent upon their fitness. The first test will start on August 6.
Squad
Angelo Mathews (captain), Lahiru Thirimanne, Kaushal Silva, Upul Tharanga, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Kithruwan Vithanage, Niroshan Dickwella, Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera, Shaminda Eranga, Suranga Lakmal, Chanaka Welagedara, Dhammika Prasad, Nuwan Pradeep.
Back in form
Alastair Cook was at his best in the third Test match against India. He contributed with his bat as well as captain of the ship. Apart from him , James Anderson was another performer. Alastair Cook, whose captaincy and position was on the line, unfurled 165 runs and was vibrant and clever on the field, and strike bowler James Anderson took seven wickets to become leading wicket-taker in the series. There was a bonus, as part-time off-spinner Moeen Ali took 6-67 in the second innings to fill the hole left by the retired Graeme Swann.
Moeen Ali puts India in a spin
Moeen Ali was considered a part time bowler but his match haul of 8-wicket has certainly raised the bar. Indian batsmen are known for their ability to handle spin better but were undone by some clever piece of bowling from Ali. Cook, who was reluctant to bowl Ali in the lost Sri Lanka series last month, praised him. “His level of improvement as a bowler, I haven’t seen in such a short space of time,” Cook said. “To adjust from bowling county cricket to a holding role at international cricket with the lengths you have to bowl, the lines, the speed, he has learnt really well. When he got on a wicket that spun a bit, he proved he is an attacking option as well.”
Source-http://www.crictoday.com
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