Steve Harmison Cautious About India's Long Tail In England's Moving Conditions

Former England pacer Steve Harmison expressed his concerns over team India’s plan to field the same playing XI that won them the second Test at Lord’s.

Indian skipper Virat Kohli on Tuesday announced that India will remain unchanged unless there is niggle with any player. Kohli’s reason behind the decision is that the winning combination shouldn’t split.

Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah answered to India’s tail-enders woes in the past, where the group was asked to contribute runs just like New Zealand and Australian players would do. The duo added 89 runs together in India’s ninth wicket-stand and helped the team boost its total to 298/8 that also gave them a lead of 271 runs.

If I was an Indian fan I would always be wary of their long tail: Steve Harmison

However, Harmison does not seem to accept Kohli’s decision as the former England player feels that India’s long tail will be a worry for the team in the moving conditions against England.

“If I was an Indian fan I would always be wary that in English conditions the way the ball moves, having Ishant Sharma bat at No. 8 gives you a long long tail especially if he comes in challenging conditions from overhead,” Harmison said on ESPNcricinfo.

India would be hopeful to repeat Lord’s performance in Leed’s: Steve Harmison

Indian openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul batted gallantly in the first innings and the bowlers hit the right areas on the final day as they decimated England batters to fold up their innings on 120 as India won by 151 runs to take 1-0 lead in the series.

Harmison said India would look to emulate their Lord’s performance in Headingley.

“You back your bowlers to take wickets and you back your batsmen to score runs. India did that at Lord’s and they won that Test match, rightly so. They would be hopeful they do exactly the same up at Leeds,” Harmison said.

The third Test between England and India begins on Wednesday (August 25).

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