ENG v IND 2018: Kevin Pietersen slams England batsmen after their dismal performance in the first innings in Southampton

Joe Root won the toss and decided to bat first at the Ages Bowl.

England finished up first inning at 246 in Southampton | Getty Images

In modern-day cricket, all major teams are doing well at home and struggle on foreign pitches against formidable overseas opponents. Bangladesh is a prime example of the fact, who have won against teams like Australia and England on their home soil.  

England's struggle in the ongoing series particularly at Trent Bridge and now in Southampton against the moving ball is a scenario which has been criticized and talked about by the commentators in the ongoing series. 

At the moment, India and England are contesting in the five-match Test series, where the hosts have won the first two Tests but had to face heavy defeat in the third Test. Now again in the fourth Test, England batsmen are struggling against the Indian bowlers who are constantly pressurizing them with their consistency. 

Currently, Indian pace attack is at their best with Ishant Sharma, Mohd Shami and Jasprit Bumrah forming a formidable trio with Hardik Pandya assisting them with his consistency as well. 

On Day 1 in Southampton, English batters surrendered themselves even when the conditions were in their favor after winning the toss.  However, none of the top order batsmen were able to score as the formidable Indian pace attack constantly troubled them to push the hosts down to 86/6. They were bundled out for 246 finally. 

Following the dismissal show of England so far in the Test match, former England skipper Kevin Pietersen has lashed out at the national side and expressed his desire to know who the batting coach of the team is and who is inspiring to bat the way they have done in the first innings. 

He wrote on Twitter, “Who coaches England’s Test batsmen?! Who in their setup inspires them to to be their best?”

Sam Curran was the only positive in the otherwise disappointing batting effort from the England batsmen in the first innings in Southampton. 

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 31 Aug, 2018

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