Brendon McCullum goes crying for “plenty of life” in Lord’s pitch after Edgbaston Test humiliation
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After the humiliating loss at Edgbaston, the England management have rocked back on their seats and asked for a change in pitch conditions. India won by a huge margin at Edgbaston and will advance to the iconic stadium of Lord's for the third Test.
India scored a total of 1014 runs at the loss of 16 wickets across the two innings, of which 430 were scored by the Indian skipper Shubman Gill alone. Hence, this can be the viable proof for England's bowling losing its shape, and hence, the management might look to make some changes before playing at Lord's.
Fast bowlers dominated the WTC final, which was played at Lord's, as Pat Cummins and Kagiso Rabada ran through the batting order of each other's opponents. Brendon McCullum and co. are probably looking for a similar pitch that supports seam movement with a bit more pace and bounce.
This type of condition would definitely not favour batting and will be the perfect stage for English paceman Jofra Archer to make his much-awaited comeback into England's Test 11.
Brendon McCullum blames Ben Stokes' bad decision for the Edgbaston loss
Citing their loss at Edgbaston, Brendon McCullum, the England coach, has considered that the subcontinent-type flat pitches are making it easy for the Indian batters to score runs.
He has also pointed out that Ben Stokes' nonsensical decision to bowl on such a track cost the match more for England. The Indian batters put on a huge score in the first innings itself, which set the tone of the match in their favour.
England are now stepping forward to exploit their home conditions, as they look forward to a bowling change marking the probable return of Jofra Archer, and hence ask for a track that favours their type of team selection.
"Something with a bit more pace, a bit more bounce, and maybe a little bit of sideways. It'll be a blockbuster either way, but I think it's going to set up for a cracker - especially if there's plenty of life in it [the pitch]," Brendon McCullum said
"He'll certainly be available for selection," Brendon McCullum said, as quoted by ESPNCricinfo. "Our seamers have gone two Tests on the spin and we've got a short turnaround before we head down to HQ."
"We'll let the dust settle on this one, but Jofra is looking fit, he's looking strong, he's looking ready to go, and he'll come into calculations. It's hugely exciting."
England await Gus Atkinson's return at Lord's
English pacer Gus Atkinson has been a big absentee for England and Brendon McCullum in this test series. Mark Wood is also not part of England's playing 11 any further, as he has been recovering from injury.
But Atkinson, the main man for England in recent times in Tests at Lord's, missing out on the third test would cost England heavily. Though he is part of the 16-member squad announced for the third test alongside other backup pacers Jofra Archer, Sam Cook, and Jamie Overton, his recovery is taking way longer than expected.
Gus Atkinson has a Lord's hundred batting down the order and has also claimed 19 wickets in the iconic venue.
England await Archer's return, but Jasprit Bumrah is sure to start for India at Lord's
England might be making a pitch that favours pace bowling since they are expecting a probable return for the dreaded pacer Jofra Archer; however, it should not escape anyone's mind that Jasprit Bumrah is likely to star for India in the Lord's Test again.
Bumrah was rested at Edgbaston only to bring out his full potential in the Lord's test; in the meantime, India found another sensational pace option in Akash Deep, who might also accompany Bumrah at Lord's.
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India National Cricket Team England National Cricket Team India vs England Brendon McCullum Ben Stokes Jofra Archer Gus Atkinson
