Too many heads dropped too quickly

Modern technology is supposed to be able to make things better for all, officials and players alike, but the pictures on this occasion were apparently only as good as their interpretation. There are times when an umpire must genuinely demur on a decision because of the limitations of the video machines used by television. Sometimes I admit the frames per second of the recording don8217;t work for either television or the third umpire, but this was not one of those times.

It cost India dear simply because Pietersen was the man most likely to take the scoring rate for the innings up to heights previously unrecorded in this match and so it proved. That was just before tea and after the break it seemed that the height of India8217;s ambition was merely to slow proceedings down as much as possible.

They only had themselves to blame when Sreesunth dropped the simplest of chances from the same batsman, again off the bowling of Kumble. He was mortified but I did not notice the team rally round the youngster as would have been the case with the England team. A bad mistake it might have been, but the first thing to do is boost the man who is feeling the pain most.

For Kumble and Harbhajan it was a humbling day. Everyone has been predicting that this pitch will break up and turn but it has not been the case. The odd one, no more than that, has gripped the surface properly but any batsman who has watched the ball closely has had time to adjust and play it. Harbhajan, on his return after injury, has seemed subdued and dropped an absolute sitter off his own bowling, while Kumble has just not been able to get enough out of the pitch. He was the unluckier of the two, beating the bat more often and also coming mighty close to having Collingwood lbw after he had finally claimed Pietersen8217;s wicket, but still must have been disappointed with his day.

What an innings that was from Pietersen! Everyone else who has made runs on this slow pitch has taken time to adjust to it. He came out buzzing with adrenaline and was into his stride remarkably quickly. When he took the attack to Kumble I am sure he amazed Anil how well he hits against the spin. It is the sign of a batsman who watches the ball onto the bat exceptionally well. A lesser player might well miscue as admittedly Pietersen did in the end when he was within sight of a very special hundred but he was playing the same shots against Shane Warne last summer and against Danish Kaneria in Pakistan earlier this winter and it8217;s the first time I can remember him coming to grief because of it.

For Alistair Cook to round off England8217;s perfect day with his maiden Test hundred was both a very special moment for him and a big pat on the back for an England system that allows a man like him to come in at late notice and succeed.