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Journalism of Courage
The volatility of modern Test cricket may render this redundant by the time you read this but, somewhere in the back of their minds, Team India8217;s think-tank will probably be wondering whether they got it wrong in going with five batsmen at Mohali.
On the face of it this Test is wide open; there8217;s still 200 overs to go, India have six wickets in hand and are only 151 runs behind. They even have a formula to put the pressure back on England: Score fast on Sunday, buildup a lead and let the bowlers do the rest on a deteriorating wicket.
And the visitors revelled in those conditions today, putting on a top-notch display of pace, bounce and fielding/catching. The ball was zipping across the batsmen8217;s face and quite a lot of deliveries carried at shoulder height to the wicketkeeper. This pitch seemed to come alive with pace and bounce.
8216;8216;After yesterday, everyone thought it would be a boring draw8217;8217;, said Steve Harmison. 8216;8216;But there8217;s still plenty of time left to get a result, I think we stand a great chance.8217;8217;
Andrew Flintoff is leading his side from the front; he8217;s done that several times of late. His knock of 70 was of equal importance to bowling a snorter to dismiss Tendulkar and taking a catch that sent back Wasim Jaffer.
Rahul Dravid is no all-rounder; but Flintoff8217;s counterpart has been more consistent and effective in taking the team out of a dodgy position. It would be an interesting day of cricket; not for the sake of eking out a result but in terms of seizing the initiative and winning small battles in this series war.
