Bell puts England in command
August 1 (The Hindu) India experienced the sinking feeling of a Test match slipping through its fingers here at Trent Bridge on Sunday.
Ian Bell’s 159 was the centrepiece of England’s second-innings score of 441 for six, which put it 374 ahead at stumps.
This, after Sunday morning found the second Test even and open to persuasion, with England resuming on 24 for one, 43 behind India.
The conditions, as they are apt to on the third day, were kinder to the team batting, England; the wicket, after more mowing and heavy-rolling, was tranquil; it had further eased under the sun, lightening in colour, flattening in texture.
India might have tried Ishant Sharma first up, the team’s only bowler who can flog the surface from a considerable height to obtain its meagre gifts.
Praveen Kumar and Sreesanth got the ball to move in the air, but it was more ghostly shape than corporeal curl.
It didn’t greatly worry the batsmen, and though different in pace and point of release, the pair hasn’t the variety the combination that Sreesanth and Ishant does.
Ian Bell, India’s tour of England
Beautiful batting
Bell, promoted to three after Jonathan Trott had strained his shoulder fielding, batted beautifully.
The Test has been uniquely privileged to have two of modern cricket’s most eye-catching touch artistes — Laxman, on Saturday, and Bell, on Sunday — parade their style.
Bell eased from his overnight score of nine to 84 before lunch, stroking 15 fours in the session. Third-man, vacant for too long, had the most ball traffic.
Bell either square-cut or back-cut arrestingly — feet dancing back, off a preliminary forward push; bat swishing through like a fencer’s sabre; or moulded his hands to the requirements of the delivery to let the ball slide off the bat’s face.
The driving was just as attractive. Such a natural timer of the ball, Bell seldom over-hit his stroke; it was the most sensitive response, the slightest extension of his arms from defensive play.
In each of his strokes, indeed in all of his batting, the balance was balletic.
The practical aspect of batsmanship, placement, was never lost sight of.
Kevin Pietersen (63) stepped up a level after lunch and imposed his will on the bowlers.
Moving outside off-stump so he manufactured a leg-stump line of his own, Pietersen smashed the ball. He’s near impossible to bowl to in this mood. His reach and his movement around the crease ensure no line is sacred, that no length is safe.
Accuracy and angle
Sreesanth, who had broken through in the morning with Andrew Strauss’ wicket, finally got Pietersen.
In both caught-behind dismissals, it was accuracy and angle more than deviation, which was minimal, that did the trick. But these wickets were 162 runs apart.
Eoin Morgan (70) might have been desperately out of touch, but from a low, crouching stance he began to bat like he’s known to.
His was a busy innings that, because of his left-handedness and avant-garde style, put the Indian bowlers off. They strove gamely, but their spirit wasn’t backed up by direction.
India needed a big effort from its lead spinner. Harbhajan Singh, who seemed to be labouring with an ailment of some sort, couldn’t contribute as he’d have hoped.
This led to India filling time till the second new ball, trying not to leak expensive runs. Such enterprises seldom succeed, and Bell and Morgan scored freely.
Controversy
Bell, reinstated after India withdrew its appeal for a run out, added 22 after the reprieve. The controversy mustn’t detract from a splendid innings, which ended when Bell cut one of Yuvraj Singh’s left-arm slows to first slip. It was a much-needed wicket two overs before the second new ball became available.
India took it at once. Praveen struck twice in two overs. Morgan edged a ball that slanted across him and pitched on a difficult length.
When Trott could do no more than glove a lifter to first slip (the hard ball perhaps took off from a firmer part of the pitch covered by a grass-tuft; there’s no other explanation), England was on 339 for six, 272 in front.
India had the smallest toe in the door, but Matt Prior (64 batting) slammed it shut. The contrast between the two sides’ lower-orders couldn’t be starker.
Prior, carving the ball through the off-side at will, proved it again with a stroke-filled innings and an unbroken partnership of 102 (110b) with Tim Bresnan (47 batting).
After 21 wickets on the first two days, 417 were scored on the third. What lies ahead?
Scoreboard
England — 1st innings: 221
India — 1st innings: 288
England — 2nd innings: A. Strauss c Dhoni b Sreesanth 16 (52b, 1×4), A. Cook c Yuvraj b Ishant 5 (11b, 1×4), I. Bell c Laxman b Yuvraj 159 (206b, 24×4), K. Pietersen c Dhoni b Sreesanth 63 (120b, 7×4), E. Morgan c Dhoni b Praveen 70 (88b, 8×4, 1×6), M. Prior (batting) 64 (55b, 8×4, 1×6), J. Trott c Dravid b Praveen 2 (10b), T. Bresnan (batting) 47 (66b, 9×4); Extras (b-9, lb-3, nb-2, w-1): 15. Total (for six wickets in 101 overs): 441.
Fall of wickets: 1-6 (Cook), 2-57 (Strauss), 3-219 (Pietersen), 4-323 (Bell), 5-329 (Morgan), 6-339 (Trott).
India bowling: Praveen 29-5-93-2, Ishant 24-3-115-1, Sreesanth 22-5-103-2, Yuvraj 10-0-41-1, Harbhajan 9-1-47-0, Raina 7-0-30-0.
News Gathered by India News
Become a Hosting Provider
Get Domain Reseller Account Free .in domain Rs 115 Reseller Hosting in just Rs 999
Posted by