Former England captain Michael Vaughan has expressed doubts about India facing a batting collapse in the ongoing Edgbaston Test, despite confident remarks from England’s Harry Brook about securing an early win.
Vaughan Labels Pitch ‘Too Flat’
Michael Vaughan believes the Edgbaston pitch is proving to be overly flat, making a dramatic Indian collapse unlikely. He emphasized that Indian batters are accustomed to playing on such surfaces, making them resilient against early pressure.
“India are brought up on these kind of wickets. I can’t see them collapsing tomorrow, they aren’t going to give them anything,” Vaughan told the BBC. He noted that India has largely dominated the game, save for a brief three-hour period on Day 3.
Vaughan also highlighted a concern for England’s bowling attack. He observed that India found significantly more movement with the new ball, suggesting England needs to find a way to generate seam on the unhelpful surface.
Harry Brook’s Unwavering Confidence
Despite Vaughan’s skepticism, England batter Harry Brook remains highly optimistic about his team’s prospects. Following his crucial 303-run partnership with wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, Brook voiced strong confidence in England’s ability to win the Test.
Brook stated that England plans to put India on the back foot early on Day 4 by taking quick wickets. “I still think we can win this Test match, to be honest,” he told the BBC, adding, “Everybody knows in the world that we are going to try and chase whatever they set us.”
England’s aggressive “Bazball” approach under captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum underpins this fearless mindset, irrespective of the target.
Steven Finn’s Tactical Advice for India
Former England bowler Steven Finn offered a strategic perspective for the Indian side. He advised India’s batters to play the initial session of Day 4 with utmost caution, preventing England from gaining any early momentum.
“If I was inside in the India dressing room just play that first session, be cautious and don’t let England get wind in their sails with early wickets,” Finn suggested. He believes that once the initial period is navigated, India’s batters can then unleash their natural attacking game.
Finn also hinted at India’s past experiences, suggesting they might be wary of declarations or collapses seen in previous matches like Headingley, influencing their strategic decisions.
- Michael Vaughan doubts an Indian collapse due to the “too flat” Edgbaston pitch.
- Harry Brook is confident England can chase any target India sets on Day 4.
- Steven Finn advises India to play cautiously in the first session to deny England early wickets.
With India holding a healthy 244-run lead with nine wickets in hand at the end of Day 3, the stage is set for a gripping contest as both teams aim to gain the upper hand.
