As criticism mounts over England’s recent defeat against India in the Test series, Michael Atherton shared a balanced perspective, suggesting that England’s performance was not totally at fault.
The cricket community is pouring out their criticisms of England’s defeat against India in the recent Test Match Series. Former England captain Michael Atherton also remarked that the loss was expected due to England’s lack of a strong spin-bowling attack, as England had limited opportunities while visiting the hosts on their home ground.
England took an early lead in the series with a win in the first test in Hyderabad. However, India fought back and secured an unassailable 3-1 lead. England had its opportunities but failed to capitalize.
Earlier, Nasser Hussain had written in his column in Sky Sports, “England was really good today…but obviously…you look at key areas where you let the game slip.”
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Atherton also shared somewhat similar views to that of Hussain acknowledging England’s gameplay.
“I don’t feel too strongly about being too critical of England. It’s a difficult place to come and win, obviously, with nobody able to do so since 2012/13. When we were talking about the series before a ball was sent down then I don’t think we expected England to win here, given the relative strength of the spin attack. I feel that it has been a competitive series. I feel like India know they’ve been in the tussle, but in the end they were just too good in home conditions,” Atherton told Sky Sports.
“England’s spinners were really good. Shoaib Bashir now has more Test wickets than he had first-class wickets coming into this tour and I thought he bowled excellently. I think if you said before the series began that two young spinners, who hadn’t played a Test match and are not really first choice for their counties, would have put performances in like that then I think they would have taken that. It could conceivably be 4-0 to India because they will feel they should have won that first game in Hyderabad and probably ought to have done,” he added.
Though India has already bagged the series win, England will look forward to concluding it with a final win in the 5th test.
Last Updated on February 27, 2024
