Following India's dominant 336-run victory over England in the second Test at Edgbaston, Australia's Test captain, Pat Cummins, couldn't resist taking a playful jab at the nature of the pitch. Cummins' remarks came after Australia's own impressive 133-run win against the West Indies in Grenada. The contrasting conditions between the two matches – one favoring bowlers and the other heavily favoring batsmen – prompted Cummins' witty observation.
Speaking at the post-match presentation in Grenada, Cummins quipped, "Who'd want to be a bowler over there?". He added, with a hint of sarcasm, that the Edgbaston wicket might well be the "third flattest wicket in English history". Cummins noted the stark difference between the Test match he was playing in and the one between India and England, suggesting they "look like two different sports".
India's victory at Edgbaston was indeed comprehensive, leveling the five-match series at 1-1. Shubman Gill led the charge with a sensational double century in the first innings, followed by a century in the second. India amassed a formidable 587 runs in their first innings, with contributions from Ravindra Jadeja and Yashasvi Jaiswal. In contrast, England struggled to make inroads, with Mohammed Siraj taking 6 wickets for 70 runs and Akash Deep claiming 4 wickets.
England captain Ben Stokes conceded that the pitch "didn't play as he expected," noting that it offered more assistance to India and behaved like a "sub-continent" wicket on the last two days. This observation aligns with the criticism from various experts who pointed out the lack of support for bowlers on the Edgbaston track.
The nature of English pitches has been a topic of discussion, especially since England adopted their aggressive 'Bazball' approach. This approach has often resulted in flatter pitches that are more conducive to high-scoring games, making it challenging for bowlers to make an impact. The first Test of the series also saw a similar lack of assistance for seamers and spinners, which allowed England to chase down a substantial target.
Despite India's impressive win, even their own players acknowledged the difficulties faced by bowlers. Shubman Gill, who was named Player of the Match, expressed his concerns about the Dukes ball used in England, stating that it tends to lose its hardness quickly, making it tough for bowlers to take wickets. He emphasized that without assistance from the pitch or the ball, it becomes exceedingly difficult for bowlers to perform effectively.
Cummins' lighthearted remark underscores a growing concern about the balance between bat and ball in Test cricket, particularly in England. While high-scoring matches can be entertaining, a pitch that offers something for both batsmen and bowlers is generally considered to be the most desirable for a fair contest.
