Former England fast bowler Stuart Broad suggested that the fifth day of the Oval Test worked in India’s favour, allowing their bowlers to recharge and return with full intensity. India sealed a thrilling six-run victory on the final morning, leveling the five-match series 2-2.
India’s comeback began late on Day 4 when they brought England down from 301/3 to 337/6 in their pursuit of 374. However, the day ended prematurely due to bad light, leading many to believe that India’s momentum had been disrupted. Speaking to Sky Sports, Stuart Broad said the extra rest probably helped the Indian bowlers.
“The India bowlers freshened up and knew they had one big spell to get this. And when you are bowling for a Test match win, there is no more energy inside your body than that and both bowlers were exceptional in what they did. It had everything and was a fitting finale to what has been one of the greatest Test match series I’ve seen and I think a fair result,” he said (2:20).
Broad further continued:
“When we were walking off the ground last night at the end of Day 4, a lot of the social media were saying England will be at a big advantage with the heavy roller. However, how I thought about it from a bowler’s point of view was, ‘ I get a nice sleep and I’ll be fresher to hit this pitch really hard and get more out of it. And I think that’s exactly what happened.”
Ravi Shastri Blames Poor Judgment For England’s Final Innings Collapse
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri criticised the England batters for failing to hold their nerve on the final day of their narrow loss at The Oval. The Day 5 collapse began when Jamie Smith went after a wide delivery from Mohammed Siraj in just the second over of the morning. Speaking on the Sky Sports panel, Shastri shared his thoughts on England’s defeat.
“Coming to Jamie Smith, I thought they ( England) forgot you can leave the ball. It’s still Test cricket and you don’t have to reach out and play every ball even if it’s just 35 runs needed.”
He further added:
“Had he left a couple of balls and settled down, the bowlers would have had to come back to the stumps again. That would have been his best opportunity to score runs. But this is what tension can do, when the nerves are jangling, things like that happen.”
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.
