http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MJ-Prior-c1984 rues batting order collapse in first innings against India – Cricket News Update
England’s wicketkeeper batsman Matt Prior expressed the Poms’ shock and disappointment at having found themselves all out at a dismal first innings total of 191, during the first Test of the hotly-anticipated extended-overs series between http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750,
currently being played at the Sardar http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Huzefa-Mohammed-Patel-c63657 Stadium in Motera, Ahmedabad. However, he also went on to point out that their steady start to the second innings had given the team a major boost in confidence.
With their last Test series win against India in India having come roughly 27 years ago, England’s recent tour of India approached amid much hype, with the main point of debate being the sub-continental pitches, and the Poms’ susceptibility to spin.
India won the toss and chose to bat first during the first Test – however, the English bowlers struggled to manipulate the track, and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/GP-Swann-c1501 was the only one who managed to make any sizeable dents in the Indian batting line-up. India eventually declared
at a solid 521.
England’s first innings, on the other hand, bordered on disastrous. Spinners http://www.senore.com/Cricket/PP-Ojha-c2198 (22.2-8-45-5) were the danger-men, and the Poms’ batsmen failed to rise to the challenge and apply themselves at the crease. Prior
(48) and skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Samit-Patel-c2426 (10) were to only other batsmen who reached double figures. The rest failed
to contribute much, and the team collapsed, all out, at a paltry 191.
“... our first innings was a bit of a shocker,” Prior said. “To lose wickets quickly is always disappointing. The batters were keen to go out there and prove a point. We knew the wicket was going to turn a bit. Maybe we got a little bit too ahead of ourselves
and a little bit panicky.”
However, following on, the tourists displayed more composure as they stepped up to the crease for their second innings on day 3. Cook (74*) and Compton (34*) put the team on the right track by setting up an unbeaten opening partnership, with swelled to 111
by the end of day three.
“In the second innings we seem to be a lot calmer,” Prior observed. “...The way http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Nick-Compton-c2104 and Cookie went about their business this afternoon was fantastic. To end up none down at the end of the day, we'll take a huge amount from that.”
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