logo
Ind vs Eng: Why have pitches in England become batting-friendly?

Ind vs Eng: Why have pitches in England become batting-friendly?

Time of India3 days ago
Pitches in England during the ongoing summer have been uncharacteristically flat, not only in the
India vs England Test series
, but also in County Championship and the India U-19 vs England U-19 matches.
After the Youth Test between the Under-19 teams ended in a draw at Kent County ground in Beckenham last week, the curator was asked if the Indian Test team requested any special kind of pitches for their practice session.
Explore courses from Top Institutes in
Select a Course Category
Others
Project Management
Leadership
Public Policy
Finance
others
Data Analytics
Data Science
healthcare
Operations Management
PGDM
Design Thinking
Cybersecurity
CXO
Artificial Intelligence
Data Science
Healthcare
Degree
Technology
Management
Product Management
MCA
MBA
Digital Marketing
Skills you'll gain:
Duration:
9 months
IIM Lucknow
SEPO - IIML CHRO India
Starts on
undefined
Get Details
Skills you'll gain:
Duration:
16 Weeks
Indian School of Business
CERT-ISB Transforming HR with Analytics & AI India
Starts on
undefined
Get Details
Skills you'll gain:
Duration:
7 Months
S P Jain Institute of Management and Research
CERT-SPJIMR Exec Cert Prog in AI for Biz India
Starts on
undefined
Get Details
Skills you'll gain:
Duration:
28 Weeks
MICA
CERT-MICA SBMPR Async India
Starts on
undefined
Get Details
'It's been a long summer and a lot of cricket has been played. Even if they ask for anything, I won't be able to give them,' the curator replied.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Play War Thunder now for free
War Thunder
Play Now
Undo
The locals at Manchester are calling it a "beautiful summer" as the sun has been blazing down barring the rain in the last few days.
Weather and pitches have been a constant topic of discussion. India pacer Akash Deep, on his first tour of England, expected encouraging seam and swing but the bubble was burst in the first India 'A' game he played before the Test series.
Live Events
Before the series started, England team's managing director Rob Key observed that the increasing amount of cricket has played a part in the pitches getting flatter over the years. 'There are a lot of tired squares. They've got more cricket than ever now that The Hundred and women's cricket are in every county,' Key analysed.
As seen in the first three Tests between India and England, the pitches have lost zip. At Edgbaston, England captain Ben Stokes even said that the conditions resembled the subcontinent.
Former England captain Andrew Strauss, too, leaned on the narrative. 'With cloud cover and a bit more moisture in the surfaces, you're going to get a little bit more live grass. Therefore, it's going to seam and swing a bit more. So, the weather's played perfectly into India's hands so far ,' Strauss told TOI during the Lord's Test.
The "Bazball" style of play, which is a batting-dominated approach may have also played a role in the kind of pitches being rolled out. Another former England captain Michael Vaughan brought up this point during a chat with TOI.
'For England to play this style of cricket (attacking batting), if you play on green tops, they are going to get bowled out quite quickly. I would think that England want to play on flatter wickets to play the expansive brand of cricket,' Vaughan reckoned.
Former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta, who has been a broadcaster for the seires, pointed out that the ground staff struggle to maintain moisture after all the grounds were made sand-based to improve drainage.
'A few of the ground staff told me that all the rainwater drains out so quickly that it dries up the surface quickly. In fact, the ground staff in Birmingham had to recently put cardboard sheets besides the main square so that the main square remains moist longer,' Dasgupta told TOI .
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Watch: Rishabh Pant bravely arrives to bat despite toe fracture, earns standing ovation
Watch: Rishabh Pant bravely arrives to bat despite toe fracture, earns standing ovation

Time of India

timean hour ago

  • Time of India

Watch: Rishabh Pant bravely arrives to bat despite toe fracture, earns standing ovation

Rishabh Pant comes out to bat on Day 2 in Manchester A day after being forced off the field in visible pain, Rishabh Pant scripted a moment of resilience and spirit that lit up Old Trafford. The Indian wicketkeeper-batter, who had retired hurt on Day 1 of the fourth Test after a brutal blow to the foot, walked out to bat on Day 2 — greeted by a rousing standing ovation from the Manchester crowd. Pant, who had scored a fluent 37 before a Chris Woakes delivery struck his right foot during a reverse sweep attempt, was visibly in distress and had to be taken off the field on a mobile ambulance. Initial scans had revealed a mild compound fracture in Pant's right foot — the suspected cause of the bleeding and swelling that forced him to retire hurt on Wednesday. However, in a gutsy show of determination, Pant returned to the crease after the dismissal of Shardul Thakur on Day 2. With a protective moon boot worn while off the field and no longer able to keep wickets for the rest of the match — BCCI confirmed that Dhruv Jurel would take over the gloves — Pant's return was purely about contributing with the bat, regardless of his limitations. As he emerged from the dressing room, a packed Old Trafford crowd rose to applaud the effort. Cheers echoed around the ground, with several fans on their feet, recognising the determination it took for Pant to resume batting with a fractured toe in a series India trail 1-2. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like TV providers are furious: this gadget gives you access to all channels Techno Mag Learn More Undo Poll How do you feel about Rishabh Pant's decision to return to bat despite his injury? Inspiring Reckless Unnecessary His decision to bat in the crucial Test despite his injury is a testament to Pant's warrior spirit. Pant, limping and fighting, drew admiration not just from his teammates but from a fans online and across the globe. In another moment of respect, Shardul Thakur, who was dismissed, waited patiently on the ground, not crossing the boundary rope for Pant to come down the stairs hopping. Earlier, BCCI had confirmed that Pant will come out to bat if needed, creating a buzz on social media among fans. While Pant's brave act of limping out to bat in the 1st session made headlines, all eyes will be on the 27-year-old and Washington Sundar, who are tasked with the duty of getting India to a substantial total. Pant's injury woes however, remain a concern for India, as the wicketkeeper-batter earlier injured his finger in the 3rd Test, handing keeping duties to Jurel. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!

Asia Cup cricket to go ahead in September in UAE, BCCI set to announce details soon; No official words on IND vs PAK tie
Asia Cup cricket to go ahead in September in UAE, BCCI set to announce details soon; No official words on IND vs PAK tie

Mint

timean hour ago

  • Mint

Asia Cup cricket to go ahead in September in UAE, BCCI set to announce details soon; No official words on IND vs PAK tie

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to host the Asia Cup 2025 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in September with a formal announcement set to be made soon. The developments come in after an Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting that concluded in Dhaka on Thursday. BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla attended the meeting virtually, thereby standing on their stance of not visiting the Bangladesh capital due to the political situations in the country. "The BCCI will host the Asia Cup in the UAE. India is likely to play all its matches in Dubai. There are still deliberations on scheduling," an ACC source told PTI on conditions of anonymity. Although the dates are yet to be finalised, the Asia Cup 2025 will be held for a little over fortnight in September ahead of the India vs West Indies Test series. India will play West Indies in a two-match Test series starting from October 2. "Our vice-president Rajeev Shukla ji attended the ACC meeting. He will brief the members. I don't believe in speculations so you will get to know officially in a few days time," BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said.

Ben Stokes Breaks His Record During 4th Test Against India; Bowls Most Overs In A Test Series
Ben Stokes Breaks His Record During 4th Test Against India; Bowls Most Overs In A Test Series

India.com

timean hour ago

  • India.com

Ben Stokes Breaks His Record During 4th Test Against India; Bowls Most Overs In A Test Series

England captain Ben Stokes has been in incredible form in this Anderson-Tendulkar trophy with the ball and has already bowled the most overs of his career in a single series, breaking his previous record. On day one of the fourth Test, Stokes finished with figures of 2/47 in 14 overs, getting valuable wickets of skipper Shubman Gill for just 12 and a well-set Sai Sudharsan for 61 runs. Stokes started the day with a five-over spell, then followed it with a four-over spell and concluded the day with another five overs worth of deliveries. Even though a big knock with the bat continues to elude him, with just 163 runs in six innings at an average of 27.16 and best score of 44, Stokes has been England's miracle man with the ball, topping the wicket charts with 13 scalps at an average of 28.53 in seven innings, with best figures of 4/66. So far, he has bowled 119.0 overs, the most he has done in a Test series, surpassing his workload of 116.5 overs against Australia during the 2013-14 Ashes series (in eight innings, away from home) and 116.2 overs (in eight innings) against India in the 2018 series at home. Raw statistics do not do justice to the impact Stokes creates. His wicket column might not be the best, but he has been the one putting in hard yards despite his recent fitness setbacks, which effectively reduced his hamstring and knees to absolutely nothing at one point. With high-profile wickets of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Gill, Karun Nair, KL Rahul, and Sai Sudharsan being amongst his victims, he has essentially hunted the top order well and made an impact. One of his most remarkable outings was during the final day of the third Lord's Test, when he bowled almost 10 overs on the trot, getting the big wicket of KL Rahul. Bowling in tandem with Jofra Archer, they reduced India to 82/7 during a 193-run chase. Later, when Ravindra Jadeja was putting up a fight with tailender Jasprit Bumrah, Stokes brought back England into the game, ending a resilient 35-run stand which saw Bumrah soak up 54 deliveries and give Jadeja some freedom to play. At Lord's, he bowled a total of 44 overs and took five wickets. Along with his knocks of 44 and 33 and a stunning Rishabh Pant run-out, he earned the 'Player of the Match' award. The brilliance Stokes shows in the match is motivating for his teammates and also shows his fitness and passion towards test cricket. As the series continues, it will be interesting to see how many overs he ends with in the series. A fully fit Stokes, contributing decent numbers with the bat and bowling relentlessly, is a good sign for England as they gear up for an Ashes series against Australia this November away from home.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store