Ahmedabad Test, Day 2, Tea
Wednesday, December 12, 2001

India is paying the price for the complacency they showed on the field in the third session yesterday. After getting the wicket of Andy Flintoff, the Indians just seemed to be waiting for a repeat of Mohali to happen. Some baffling bowling changes were made which allowed England to claw back into the match.

Today, England showed the famous spirit which has made this side so formidable in the subcontinent. They lack some of the ability and experience of teams which have come to India earlier, but their spirit more than makes up for other drawbacks.Craig White, James Foster, Ashley Giles and Richard Dawson epitomised that courage and character.

It's amazing how a couple of players can lift the mood in the dressing room. White and Foster did just that, and their confidence rubbed off on the lower-order, as Giles and Dawson hung around and defied the Indian bowlers.

Anil Kumble bowled one of his better spells in Test cricket. Five of his seven wickets came with the googly. Spinners tend to mature and improve with experience, and Kumble proved that theory right. The googly is a new weapon in his armoury, and has certainly added a few years, and some wickets, to his career.

Harbhajan Singh was a huge disappointment. The first two overs he bowled today were his only impressive overs. His inability to turn his offspinners was a huge concern, and he will probably have to work with his coach to get his stock delivery back.

Javagal Srinath's was a valiant attempt, and his figures would have looked much better had he received some support from the fielders.

Sanjay Manjrekar, mainstay of the Indian batting in the late '80s and early '90s, was talking to S Rajesh

More Sanjay Manjrekar
Day 2, Lunch: Pressure on India

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