Former England cricketer-turned-commentator Steve Harmison believes that the tourists may experiment with their top order while suggesting Jonny Bairstow is an option for them to open the innings in the day-night third Test against India, starting February 24 in Ahmedabad.
After winning the first Test, England suffered a humiliating defeat of 317 runs in the second Test, as India leveled the four-match Test series by crushing the tourists on Tuesday in Chennai.
So far in the first two Tests in India, England openers struggled to give a fine start to the tourists, with Dom Sibley scoring 16 and 3, while Rory Burns managed 0 and 25 in the second Test against Team India.
Well, Bairstow is now back to the national squad for the pink-ball Test in Ahmedabad having been rested for the first two Tests as part of England's rotation policy, and the former pacer is expected the wicketkeeper-batsman to open the innings in the third Test against India.
As reported by Sky Sports, Harmison said: “I think the top-order needs to be looked at. I think both openers are getting out playing across the line too many times, especially in Asian conditions, so we may have to experiment with Bairstow, possibly opening the batting.”
He further added, “I quite liked the way Dan Lawrence attacked things [batting at No. 3 in the second innings of the second Test].”
On the debate over the spin-friendly and rapidly-deteriorating pitch for the second Test in Chennai, the Englishman said; “I don't see anyone complaining when there are green seamers prepared in England.”
He further explained, “You do have to have home advantage. You just have to perform on the pitch and that is the most important thing. I thought for the first two sessions of day one the pitch was decent to bat on. After that, it really deteriorated quickly.”
Harmison signed off by saying, “I am not sure India asked for it as I think it is a big gamble to go in that way. If England wins the toss, bat first, and bat well, then all of a sudden India is 2-0 down.”
(With PTI Inputs)
