Andrew Strauss
Andrew Strauss. Image-Reuters.

Former England captain, Andrew Strauss is distraught by Joe Root’s side not able to put up big runs in their first innings in the last three Tests against India. After a fantastic batting display in the first Chennai Test, where England put up a mammoth, match-winning total of 578, their first innings totals of 134, 112, and 205 in the next three Tests have been disappointing.

On Thursday, in the fourth Test in Ahmedabad, England squandered their toss advantage on a fairly good batting pitch – much better for the batters than the third Test. Aiding the skill of the Indian bowlers by some rash shot playing, the visitors were bowled out for a below-par score.

Ben Stokes (Getty)
Ben Stokes (Getty)

England’s batting in these conditions is not good enough: Andrew Strauss

Andrew Strauss laments England’s batting in the past three Tests, where the batsmen have to deal with challenging surfaces. The 44-year-old cricketer-turned-commentator says that as good as the Indian bowlers have been, Joe Root and company should have batted better than how they have done so far for most of the series.

“The Indian bowling was good, we’ve come to expect good quality Indian bowling… but let’s not hide away from the truth: England’s batting in these conditions is not good enough, quite frankly,” Andrew Strauss said on Channel 4.

To Win In India, You Have Got To Find A Way Of Getting First-Innings Runs - Andrew Strauss Slams Another England Batting Failure
Mohammed Siraj gets Joe Root’s wicket. (Credits: Twitter)

Strauss, who had heavily criticized the pitch in the third Test, reckons that the team cannot always hide behind the challenges of the surface and the conditions or the colour of the ball. The Ashes-winning skipper opines that a side needs to put up significant first-innings total if they intend to win Test matches in India, similar to the first Test victory in Chennai.

“You can think of all sorts of excuses around pitches and balls and inexperience, but if you want to win in India you have got to find a way of getting first-innings runs and England haven’t been able to do that,” he further added.

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