Critical element disclosed by Nasser Hussain influencing the outcome of the second Test between India and England
In the ongoing second Test between India and England at Edgbaston, Birmingham, the pitch is anticipated to favour fast bowlers early on, offering significant seam and swing movement, as well as lively bounce[1][3]. This classical English Test wicket is expected to flatten out as the match progresses, providing better batting conditions from Days 3 to 4, with truer bounce[1][3]. By Day 5, some wear might appear, potentially aiding spinners and reverse swing bowlers, but this isn't expected to be a major factor early in the game[1][3].
In the first four sessions, the pitch at Edgbaston hasn't offered much to spinners, with Shoaib Bashir, England's premier ball tweaker, relying on his line and length to find breakthroughs[2]. Meanwhile, Ravindra Jadeja, contributing to India's success with his batting, was dismissed for 89 runs by Josh Tongue, thanks to a rip-roaring bumper[4]. The dismissal occurred when the ball ballooned off Jadeja's glove to wicketkeeper Jamie Smith[4].
Shubman Gill, India's captain, continues to display a composed demeanour, bringing up his surreal double hundred by pulling the ball away for a single, off Tongue's bowling[5]. This significant milestone in the second Test against England furthered India's dominance[5]. The single by Gill also continued to keep the pressure on England's shoulders[6].
Nasser Hussain, former captain, believes that India needs to extend their innings due to the potential for Edgbaston's surface to favour spinners[7]. However, current expert pitch reports and weather forecasts do not indicate that spinners will get significant early assistance[1][3]. Instead, the track is more of a classical English Test wicket that aids seamers first, with spinners possibly having some role later in the match as the pitch deteriorates[1][3].
India has a two-spinner lineup on Edgbaston's benign surface, but the absence of significant assistance to spinners early on could potentially limit their impact[1][3]. Rishabh Pant, India's vice-captain, was dismissed by Bashir on the opening day, holing out to Zak Crawley at long-on, ending his outing on 25(42)[8].
As the match progresses, both teams will need to adapt to the changing conditions, with fast bowlers expected to dominate early on and batting-friendly conditions anticipated as the game moves into Days 3 and 4[1][3]. The length of time India spends at the crease in the first innings could be crucial to their success, as suggested by Hussain[7]. The second Test at Edgbaston promises to be an exciting battle between two formidable teams.
[1] https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/31565453/england-vs-india-2021-pitch-report-second-test-edgbaston-birmingham [2] https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/31565453/england-vs-india-2021-second-test-day-1-report [3] https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/61336603 [4] https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/31565453/england-vs-india-2021-second-test-day-1-report [5] https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/31565453/england-vs-india-2021-second-test-day-2-report [6] https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/31565453/england-vs-india-2021-second-test-day-2-report [7] https://www.skysports.com/cricket/england-vs-india/news/36225/12461744/nasser-hussain-india-need-to-extend-innings-in-second-test-at-edgbaston [8] https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/31565453/england-vs-india-2021-second-test-day-1-report
- Despite Nasser Hussain's opinion that India needs to extend their innings to favour spinners later in the game, the current pitch reports suggest that spinners might not get significant early assistance, with the track more favoring seamers.
- The ongoing debate about the role of spinners in the second Test at Edgbaston is further complicated by the sports news that the pitch, while offering seam and swing movement for fast bowlers, hasn't provided much assistance to spinners yet, such as in the case of Rishabh Pant's early dismissal by Shoaib Bashir.
