India Vs England 2021: Michael Vaughan Praises Joe Root For Using Spinners Instead Of Pacers Towards The End Of Day 3 In Headingley Test
Published - 28 Aug 2021, 04:59 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:52 AM
Former England cricketer Michael Vaughan has praised Joe Root for his idea of not using pacers towards the end of Day 3 in ongoing India vs England 3rd Test at Headingley in Leeds. Michael Vaughan said that the England skipper was smart to not use the new ball towards the end as the pitch had slowed down and would not have emerged useful for the pacers.
England managed a massive lead of 354 runs in the 1st innings, after bowling out India for just 78 runs in the 1st innings and coming ahead with a total of 432-10 in response. However, the visitors India also executed a fabulous batting show in the end innings on Day 3, losing just 2 wickets during the entire day. With 215-2 on the scoreboard, India trails by 139 runs with Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli on the crease with unbeaten 91 and 45.
Joe Root Was Quite Smart Getting Through With The Spinners: Michael Vaughan
While speaking to Cricbuzz, Michael Vaughan lauded England skipper Joe Root for his tactics to keep the new ball for the next day.
“The pitch has slowed down, I don’t think there’s any real pace in it (just) the odd ball bounces. There’s a bit of spin… The second ball is key and that’s why I thought Joe Root was quite smart tonight, getting through with the spinners. As soon as he got to 80, he never really wanted to bowl tonight because he wanted that second new ball in the morning,” Michael Vaughan said.
Michael Vaughan also said that although India is far behind in the game, anything can happen at a venue like Headingley.
“They are miles behind the game and it’s never been done before what India have been asked to do from this position. But if they can get through that morning session and just lose one wicket, I honestly think there’s something that could happen in this Test match, because of the venue. Things happen at this venue. I don’t know what it is, Ben Stokes, Beefy (Ian Botham) in ’81, special and silly things happen in the Test format here at this venue. We know India can lose 4 wickets in the morning and it’s done. But if they lose just 1, they’ll have the sneaky sniff of doing something special,” Michael Vaughan further said.
During The Ashes 2019 3rd Test between England and Australia at Headingley, Ben Stokes had smacked an impeccable 135-run knock in the final innings to win the match for England by just 1 wicket. Notably, England were bowled out for just 67 in the 1st innings and had a massive target of 358 in the 2nd innings.
Something similar happened in 1981 at the venue when England’s Ian Botham scored 149 off 148 balls against Australia during follow-on in the 2nd innings. Putting a 130-run target for Aussies, England bowled out them for just 111 to win the match in an incredible manner.
