The third day’s play in the ongoing Lord’s Test between India and England saw a drama when home team’s openers, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, came out to bat for a brief period before stumps.
After Jasprit Bumrah bowled five deliveries in what was expected to be a two-over burst, Crawley called for the physio, prompting Indian players to accuse him of time-wasting. Skipper Shubman Gill exchanged heated words with the lanky opener as tempers flared.
Reflecting on the incident, England’s assistant coach Marcus Trescothick offered a unique perspective, saying that cricket has become more friendly because of franchise tournaments all around the world and constant nudging in the Lord's Test has provided the much-needed competitive edge to the game.
"Having that competitive edge definitely helps the situation. It helps the atmosphere in the series," Trescothick told reporters after the fourth day's play.
"Cricket has got a bit more friendly over the past few years because the players are together in franchise tournaments all over the world. Sometimes it's good to create something in the game.
"Both teams are passionate about playing the game and it is understandable that at times it gets to a boiling point," he said.
"There will be things that happen between the two teams but both teams know there's a line you can't cross but it's not really been troubled too much," he added.
The Lord’s Test is evenly poised after four days of fierce contest between bat and ball. After bowling England out for 192 in the second innings, the visitors finished Day 4’s play at 58/4 in 17.4 overs, needing 135 more runs on the final day to win the game and go 2-1 up in the five-Test series.
On the other hand, the hosts are just six wickets away from registering a memorable win at the Home of Cricket.
"The last hour of viewing, our guys running in really well, there was an edge out there and it creates a great spectacle," said Trescothick.
"We were fairly relaxed in the dressing room, controlling the emotions of what's going on. We all enjoy every wicket but we are still very controlled in what we are trying to do," the former England opener remarked.
Marcus Trescothink further stated the first hour of the fifth day will decide the fate of the Lord’s Test.
"It will revolve around the first hour of the day and how positive India can be or how dominant we can be and how many wickets we can get," he said.
(With PTI Inputs)
