The ongoing second Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy had plenty of fireworks, but the legendary cricketer David Lloyd wasn’t impressed with Indian captain Shubman Gill’s tactics, especially during England’s stunning fightback led by Harry Brook and Jamie Smith at Edgbaston.
Lloyd found Shubman Gill's approach in the field baffling, particularly when England were five wickets down for just 84. Instead of going to break England down, the Indian skipper Shubman Gill played it safe, pushing fielders back and easing the pressure, and that move backfired spectacularly on Day 3.
Brook and Smith made the most of the opportunity and stitched together a historic 303-run partnership for the sixth wicket—England’s second-best ever in that stand and their third-best against India—to help England post 407 runs on the board in reply to India’s first innings total of 587.
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Brook slammed 158 off 234, while Smith remained unbeaten on a sensational 184 off 207 balls. The Englishman Lloyd slammed Shubman Gill's defensive mindset when India had a mountain of 587 runs on the board. With only two slips in place during the English counterattack, the celebrated broadcaster questioned the field placements as they slipped their chances by their own.
David Lloyd wrote in his column for the Daily Mail: “The runaway train. This game quickly went away from Shubman Gill. With 587 in the bank, I thought it was strange that the field was so defensive with only two slips. Regardless of the counter from Brook and Smith, that was the time to keep the pressure on. With three slips in there, it would have at least made them think twice because a few chances went there.”
Topsy-turvy day ends with India on top as David Lloyd hails Mohammed Siraj’s fiery spell
Despite England’s charge, India did eventually regain control. Mohammed Siraj roared back to clean up the tail, as England collapsed from 387/6 to 407 all out, losing five wickets for just 20 runs. India walked away with a commanding 180-run lead.
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At stumps on Day 3, India had reached 64/1 in their second innings, extending their lead to 244 runs in the ongoing second Test of the five-match Test series against England at Edgbaston.
Lloyd added, “What a topsy-turvy day of cricket, with quite a remarkable scorecard in the end. Six of the England team were out for ducks. They were staring down the barrel, then came a magnificent counterattack, and then, from nowhere, the tail was blown away by Siraj, with Smith left high and dry on 184. Surely somebody could have stayed with him.”
David Lloyd blames England's collapse on 'Mental Disintegration'
On the other hand, the former ICC match referee has blamed the "mental disintegration" for England’s double collapse in the Edgbaston Test. He has noted that the batters were drained after spending two long days in the field, which led to mistakes and confusion at the crease.
Lloyd signed off by saying, “Mental fatigue played a part because the batters’ minds were scrambled after two days in the field. That’s a great part of Test cricket. The Aussies called it mental disintegration. Apart from Brook and Smith, who played excellently, England were mentally spent.”
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