England’s batting coach Jonathan Trott on Saturday (February 27) weighed in on the raging debate over the Ahmedabad pitch for the Day-Night Test between India and England.
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According to Trott, the track was a “tricky one” but he feels that it would be a “disservice” to solely blame the 22-yard strip instead of focussing on their issues.
The pink-ball Test at the Narendra Modi Stadium finished inside two days with the hosts winning it by 10 wickets, dividing opinion among experts and fans on the quality of the pitch.
England were bowled out for 112 and 81, while India scored 145 in the first innings before chasing a 49-run target without any hiccup.
“I thought it was tricky at times for everybody to play on, obviously pretty dry and that’s what we have seen here in India. We had first use for it, so we would have like to score more runs and put India under bit of pressure,” Trott said in a virtual press conference.
“We saw when we bowled well, we could restrict them to.”
Trott didn’t want to get into the blame game and said things could have been different if England would have batted well in the first innings.
“I always like to see what we could have done better instead of blame things.
“If we could have got 200 or 250 in the first innings, it would have been different game. The mentality (mental approach) of batting in the second innings would have been very different.
“So looking and blaming the pitch, I think, would be doing ourselves a disservice. Yes, the ball did spin and there were balls which skid on but it was same for both sides.”
Asked does it do Test cricket disservice to see a match finish inside two days, Trott said: “Whether it finishes in two days or whatever, you always want to see good cricket and good battle between bat and ball and clearly bowlers had the upper hand in this Test series so let’s see what happens in last Test.
“I wouldn’t say it does disservice I would say different conditions, different countries all around the world, that’s make Test cricket so unique and that’s the way the game is played.”
The batting coach also opened up about the mood in the camp.
“It is disappointing with how the two Tests have gone for us. But you don’t become a bad side after just two Test matches, yes it hurts and we want to pull up our socks and do well for England. It makes you doubly determined to do well.”
“It is important that one does not become too desperate. You feel for the lads, nobody sees them work harder than the coaches do. They are hurting in the dressing room.
“…We are disappointed with the way we played, but its done and the focus on the next match. I don’t think anyone is feeling sorry for themselves. Lot of guys want to do well, relishing the challenges of next week.”
India’s victory in the third Test ensured that England get knocked out of the World Test Championship. Now, only India and Australia are contenders to book a place in the final against England.
Ahmedabad will also host the fourth and final Test, starting Thursday (March 4).
(With PTI inputs)
