Yeah but I wasn't aware Joss was charging in off the long run for 18 overs a day in back-to-back tests in searing heat. FMD he's a keeper-batsman. Surely he'd jack up at this. We've come a long way from the days when keepers would play with fractured fingers because they didn't want to give a sucker an even break in taking the spot.
No way India can chase this down. If it was still a road then maybe but as of now, its more or less impossible.
It is hard to explain what is basically a gut feel or an instinct but with KP, he always wanted to win. The problems happened when the wins did not happen. But with Archer, I feel sometimes the result does not matter to him. But I am obviously just speculating based on what the cameras show us when they are playing a game, so I am not insisting on this. Just wanted to post what I felt, that is all.
The second test is also here and its obvious the seamers have nothing with this ball once the seam starts bursting out. It is supposed to help fast bowlers in theory with a more prominent seam but this is a new variety of the SG ball they are trialling and it does not seem up to the task, frankly. Fully expect Kuldeep to come in for Nadeem and that being the only change, irrespective of what happens today.
If Umesh/Shami were fit it'd be pretty tempting to go with one of them as the third seamer. Shami only fit for the 3rd Test though so Kuldeep for Nadeem it is.
Thoughts and prayers to the players, umpires and support staff
Nah, I would rather play one of them ahead of Ishant/Bumrah, tbh. But definitely for the d/n test I think Shami will be very useful, if he is fully fit. Even otherwise, I wont mind Shardul coming in.
Been a few flat out incorrect no ball calls too tbf. Third umpire a little too eager to call them even when the heel is partially in the air over the line
Maybe they're all just fixers.
