Ashes 2023: "I Have Called It A Field For TV Rather Than One To Actually Get Any Wicket," Sunil Gavaskar Slams England For Their Umbrella Field At Edgbaston

Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar lashed out at England’s umbrella field against Australia in the first Test of the Ashes 2023 at Edgbaston. He said that the fielding position is for TV and it won’t provide them with breakthroughs.

England’s Bazball approach was something that has been in the talks for a while now. They played an attacking brand of cricket in the first Test against Australia but still lost the game to go 1-0 down in the series. The Ben Stokes-led side dominated the game for the majority but couldn’t manage to take wickets in the end.

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One of the main highlights of their Bazball approach was the umbrella field that they set in the game against a few Australian batters. It was an attacking field that saw four fielders in a quarter-circle arc on the on-side, starting from silly mid-on to square leg.

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According to Sunil Gavaskar England isn’t doing anything different from the bowling perspective. He also shed light on the Umbrella field and explained:

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“While bowling England is not doing anything different from earlier times. Yes, the field placements have been novel, with0 three men in catching positions on both sides of the wicket. Two fielders on either side of the pitch have been seen before and on air. I have called it a field for TV rather than one to actually get any wicket,” Sunil Gavaskar wrote in his column for Mid-day.

Sunil Gavaskar feels that England have caught the imagination of the public that they are playing orthodox and unorthodox shots. But this used to be earlier as well. Sunil Gavaskar explained:

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“The Ashes series in England seems to have caught the imagination of the cricketing public there. England are batting with a freedom that has not been seen before and more shots, both orthodox and unorthodox are being played under the regime of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum than before the duo took over. That’s where Bazball stops.”

Ashes 2023: “England had could have been easily pouched if these same fielders had been five to 10 paces back,” Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar further highlighted that England missed few opportunities and had they kept fielders back in the normal positions, they would’ve won. Sunil Gavaskar explained:

“If anything, the few missed opportunities England had could have been easily pouched if these same fielders had been five to 10 paces back in the normal fielding positions. Upfront and that close the fielders had very little time to react to those hard, but uppish pulls, and so could barely get their hands to the catches.”

England suffered a disappointing 2-wicket loss. They for the 4 and half days were on the top and looked all set to win as they needed to take the last 2 wickets and had over 70 runs to save. Pat Cummins played an exceptional knock of unbeaten 44 runs and won the game for his side. England would be hoping for a better result in the second match. The second Test of the Ashes 2023 is slated to take place at Lord’s in London. The game is scheduled to be taken place on 28th June.

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