Samit Patel sees England reply strong to India's ton – Cricket News Update
England all-rounder, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Samit-Patel-c2426, believes the first Test against India is still in balance even after his side got smashed by the hosts for a mammoth first innings score of 521 at Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera, Ahmedabad.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013 responded poorly by the end of the second day as they posted only 41 runs and lost three wickets.
However, with skipper Alastair Cook and all-rounder Kevin Pietersen still on the crease, Patel believes his team has a mighty chance of embarrassing the Indians.
“There's no question about how long we can bat. We've got the same potential of batting as India have - and we've got to keep believing that. You have to earn the right to get in first, and I think Cookie [http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KP-Pietersen-c1806] in the morning have got to set their stall out and bat well,” said Patel at the end of the day.
Still the road ahead is going to be difficult for the Poms, as they are facing some aggressive spin bowling from the hosts and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 are always a big team to beat while at home.
"We're going to have to play some good cricket. It's hard work - but that's Test cricket. We've got to stand up and be counted. It's no place for hiding," said Patel who is still to come out to bat.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Yuvraj-Singh-c98364, said, “Sehwag played outstandingly well yesterday; Pujara carried on today, and Yuvraj (Singh) played as he does.”
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/CA-Pujara-c1209 was the star in India’s first innings with his unbeaten knock of 206, while veteran Sehwag jabbed a brilliant knock of 117 to give England nightmares.
Singh has left everyone awestruck after making an astounding comeback from cancer as he first proved his inclusion in the limited overs squad and now has prevailed in the five-day game with his 74-run knock.
With Cook on 22 and KP on six, England have a long way to go before considering themselves out of the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Woods-c98113 in the opening Test.
Tags: