Rahul Dravid got the toss right in his first action in his 100th Test match for India but at the end of the first day’s play with England 272 for only three wickets, he must be wondering if he got the decision to field first right. With the inclusion of Sreesanth as the third seam bowler and there being just a tinge of green, he tilted towards bowling first. The Wankhede Stadium wicket has always given new ball bowlers some encouragement for the first hour or so, but once that period is negotiated, it can turn into a batting heaven for a couple of days and then help the spinners.
England forced to use Ian Bell as an opener after Alastair Cook withdrew at the last minute did a good job in keeping Pathan, Patel and Sreesanth at bay. They were helped by the bowlers, who did not make them play as many balls as they should have and allowed the batsmen to settle down. Strauss has struggled in the first two Tests but here at Wankhede he showed tremendous application as he worked his way towards a century. His is a no fuss approach and while not hugely attractive, which is rare for a left-handed batsmen, he was playing exactly as the team wanted.
Batsmen are often asked which of their centuries they remember and there are two categories. One which they enjoy because everything has gone off the middle of the bat and the other is one where they have scratched around and yet shown the discipline and determination to go on to a three figure knock. In Strauss’ book this century would likely fall in the latter category but what an invaluable innings it’s been for his team. His partnership for the second wicket with debutant Owais Shah stopped India from capitalizing on the capture of Bell’s wicket. Shah was more wristy than Strauss and since both play for the same team in the English County Championship, the running between the wickets also showed good understanding. Sometimes unexpected events can change the direction of the match and Shah’s retiring with an injury did give India the chance to attack Pietersen. Both Patel and Sreesanth did have him in trouble with the short delivery and it led to a loose shot around the off-stump to give Sreesanth his second wicket.
The bower seems to have also learnt theatrics apart from swing from the pace guru at the Academy and that adds to his appeal which is no bad thing at all. Patel was impressive without showing any result for his bowling and Pathan looked listless as a bowler though he fielded tigerishly in the deep. India missed a few catches and on a hot day like this, that’s never easy on the team. Perhaps the luck will change as it did at Mohali on the fourth day and India can still come back in the game. England have Collingwood and Flintoff at the crease and both are looking nicely settled and England know that they need at least 400 on the board to stay in the game and put pressure on India and the two milestone men, Dravid and Tendulkar. The skipper, in particular, will be under more scrutiny after his decision to field first but then that’s exactly the kind of situation he revels in. England have won the first day, but who wins the last is what matters in the end.
