365 Sporting Days

Having booked an ODI at Edgbaston I found myself travelling to Edgbaston for 40 overs of cricket, that actually lasted for just 37 overs. This is going to be largely about sharing my photos than a write up of the match. England captain Jos Buttler won the toss and put India in to bat. This was a game that was dominated by the bowlers which is always good to see in a format where the bat is usually king.

The best of the India batters was Ravindra Jadeja who scored 46 from 29 balls batting at 6, India scored 170 for 8 in their 20 overs. the England debutant Richard Gleeson took 3 for 15 in his 4 overs, and he took 3 big scalps – Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant and the struggling Virat Kohli who was out for 1. Chris Jordan took 4 for 27 in his 4 overs with Dinesh Karthik being run out by Harry Brook.

That felt like India had been well restricted, until they started to bowl. Jason Roy who is another struggling for form was out for a Platinum Duck as he was caught by Pant from the bowling of Bhuvneshawar Kumar. And so the cards began to fall! Rohit’s captaincy was perfection during this innings, he has an outstanding bowling attack without question, but his use of those he had was just perfect! I could only sit and admire as my team were soundly beaten. Moeen Ali tip scored with 35 from 21 and David Willey scored 33 from 22. But no other batter reached 20. Jasprit Bumrah, who never ceases to amaze took 2 for 10 in his 3 overs and Kumar 3 for 15 in his 3. I will never tire of watching Bumrah in particular, how he does what he does with that ‘run up’ I will never know!

I didn’t enjoy seeing Virat Kohli fail again, nor watching him dance for the Hollies Stand, he looked disengaged in the field and is clearly struggling with the bat, I hope he regains his form, but do feel he needs a rest, he still has the expectations of a cricket mad country on his back.