BUMBLE AT THE TEST: England lost the plot against India on the final day of the second Lord’s test – there are serious questions about the hosts’ top order and changes are needed NOW
- First of all supporters being able to watch the final day for just £20 is great value
- But there was more misery for England, and there are serious questions for them
- The top order looks technically weak and vulnerable and there must be changes
- But Moeen Ali’s inclusion and performance was a rare bright spot for the hosts
India secured a late 151-run victory against England on the final day of the second Test at Lord’s on Monday.
Yet another batting collapse, including both openers departing for a duck, saw a nervy England skittled out for an embarrassing 120.
That total was marginally better than India’s ninth-wicket partnership of 89 between Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah and included 29 extras – ‘extras’ being the second highest scorer behind Joe Root on 33.
Here, Sportsmail‘s DAVID LLOYD offers his thoughts and unique insights on a hugely dramatic final day of cricket at Lord’s.
Lord’s provided great value on Monday, especially for India fans, with tickets going for just £20
PRICING WAS ON THE MONEY
What great value Lord’s provided yesterday, particularly for India fans. Just £20 for the final day. And that was after people paid up to £180 for a day’s play during the rest of the Test.
The ground was almost full and it turned into a thrilling game. Not so many champagne corks popping on to the outfield either…
BRILLIANT BUMRAH
The Test went away from England when Jasprit Bumrah came into bat. They just seemed intent on knocking lumps off him rather than getting him out. There’s always something great about a tail-end partnership. Bumrah and Mohammed Shami had fun at England’s expense. It looked as if England had lost the plot.
Both openers were out for ducks, including Rory Burns (right), whose technique is suspect
IT’S NOT SO HIP TO BE SQUARE
That’s the first time both England openers have been out for nought in the same innings of a home Test. An incredible stat.
The pair of them, Rory Burns and Dom Sibley, were very square on again. I keep on seeing a lot of their back shoulders. You just can’t play that way at this level I’m afraid, however good the bowling is.
BURNS TRIGGER UNHAPPY
About that dismissal of Burns. I want to analyse it. The short ball from Bumrah pitched at least a foot outside leg-stump and Burns’ front leg immediately triggered across to cover.
There’s no way he can access the ball in a straight line from there because his bat has to come across his body and leg. The result? He just lobbed it up to cover….
INDIAN SPICE WAS VERY MILD
There was an enormous reaction to the aggressive nature of India in the field, in particular captain Virat Kohli. I just chuckle at all that.
The buzzword for it in the commentary box was ‘spicy’. A vindaloo or a Madras? In my view it was no more spicy than a korma. It’s a lot of hot air. It was back to the playground stuff. My dad’s bigger than your dad!
The return of off-spinning all-rounder Moeen Ali (pictured) to the side was a rare positive
WHERE’S MOEEN BEEN?
Let’s take the positives out of this Test, as they say these days after a miserable performance. One for me has been the return of Moeen Ali.
He was good with ball, bat and in the field even though he couldn’t save England, and this performance just shows how much they have missed him in Test cricket. I still don’t know why he went away.
HEADINGLEY HEAD SCRATCHER
We’ve got a break before the third Test and I’m scratching my head over what England should do now. There has to be another change to the top order.
A return for Dawid Malan? Zak Crawley and Haseeb Hameed to open? Can Ollie Pope bat at three? He’s not been near there for Surrey. It’s Headingley. It may be cloudy. I wonder if Sir Geoffrey Boycott is available…