Former England cricketer David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd expressed his bewilderment at Shubman Gill captaincy during the second innings of the Edgbaston Test in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, labeling it “strange” and “so defensive.” Lloyd believes Gill made a crucial error by spreading the field and failing to maintain pressure as Harry Brook and Jamie Smith’s formidable 303-run partnership began to take the game away from India.
This sixth-wicket stand was instrumental in England’s recovery, propelling them from a precarious 84/5 to an imposing 387/6. Brook contributed a magnificent 158 runs off 234 balls, while Smith aggressively smashed 184 off just 207 deliveries. This partnership marked England’s second-best for the sixth wicket and the third-best against India for the same wicket.
“The runaway train,” Lloyd wrote in his column for the Daily Mail. “This game quickly went away from Shubman Gill. With 587 in the bank, I thought it was strange that the field was so defensive with only two slips. Regardless of the counter from Brook and Smith, that was the time to keep the pressure on. With three slips in there, it would have at least made them think twice because a few chances went there,” he added.
Despite England’s counter-attack, India’s commanding first innings score of 587/10 ultimately proved too high for the hosts. England’s last five wickets tumbled for a mere 20 runs, leaving them with a 180-run deficit.
Shubman Gill and his team concluded the day at 64/1, extending their lead to 244 runs.
“What a topsy-turvy day of cricket, with quite a remarkable scorecard in the end. Six of the England team were out for ducks. They were staring down the barrel, then came a magnificent counter attack and then from nowhere, the tail was blown away by Siraj, with Smith left high and dry on 184. Surely somebody could have stayed with him,” Lloyd concluded.
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