“You don’t win many matches when you collapse like that.” – Sir Alastair Cook on England’s batting on Day 3 of the 3rd Test between India and England.
Sir Alastair Cook on England’s batting on Day 3 of the 3rd Test between India and England
Former England captain Sir Alastair Cook has stated that teams seldom win matches by collapsing like the visitors did on Day 3 of the third Test against India in Rajkot.
The 161-Test veteran praised India, saying they were very, very excellent’ on the third morning to take a commanding lead.
England began the day at 207-2, behind by 238 runs more, with Ben Duckett on 133.
While Duckett contributed just 20 runs to his total, none of the English hitters made a significant contribution, losing their final eight wickets for 95 runs.
Cook bemoaned England’s poor batsmanship in an interview with Sky Sports, emphasising the need to be good for lengthy periods to win a Test match.
On Day 2, the tourists dominated with an 89-run opening stand from Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett. Duckett, who scored a century off just 88 deliveries, added another 83 with Ollie Pope, who went for 39.
“It was the wrong time to play it” – Alastair Cook on Joe Root’s reverse scoop
With Joe Root continuing his dismal form and falling to a reverse scoop off Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling, the 39-year-old feels the former captain should have stayed back at that point.
With Yashasvi Jaiswal reaching his century and India’s lead approaching 250 at the time of writing, England is in for a rough ride.
Read Also:- RCB plays 11 from AB de Villiers’ debut match for the franchise in 2011 – where are they now?