Will India’s Collapse at Headingley Haunt England?

Birmingham, July 2 (NationPress) Stuart Broad, the former England fast-bowler, asserts that the Ben Stokes-led team will keep in mind India's struggles with lower-order collapses as they seek to penetrate the tourists’ batting lineup further during the second Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test at Edgbaston.

During the initial session of play, Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse were among the wicket-takers as India reached 98/2. Although the pitch provided little assistance for seamers, there were moments when England could have secured more wickets, but close calls went against them due to umpire's decisions.

“It is crucial not to chase wickets but instead to find a good length. At times, when you bowl, your objective is to restrict the opposition to below 250 runs, which leads you to bowl fuller, aiming for swing, and risking boundary runs,” Broad explained.

“It’s about maintaining mental patience and not needing four slips and a gully throughout the match. The thought of India’s collapses at Headingley will linger in the minds of the England players. The belief will be that taking one or two wickets could lead to three or four,” Broad remarked during the lunch break on Sky Sports.

Commenting on Woakes’

“Woakes was excellent with the new ball—he could have easily taken three wickets if some decisions had favored him. No batter has recklessly given away their wicket, and England has had to earn their success and demonstrate their skill. The pitch can be slow initially but tends to quicken up with the sun,” he added.

When asked how England could dismiss Jaiswal, who scored 62 not out—his 11th Test fifty in the first session—Broad replied, “He is exceptionally strong on the off-side, so he needs to be cramped up, and there’s something on that leg-stump line from around the wicket that he finds challenging, making a leg gully a viable option.”

Ravi Shastri, the former India head coach, suggested that a more aggressive infield could help dismiss Jaiswal swiftly in the second session. “Jaiswal batted beautifully—balancing caution and aggression. He capitalized on anything loose while playing to his strengths on the off-side. I would position a forward short leg, a leg slip, and a man back on the fence, utilizing two bowlers to execute that plan for half an hour.”

Shastri concluded by noting that losing Karun Nair’s wicket just before lunch would be a disappointment for India. “While they might feel content overall, the timing of Nair's dismissal right before lunch is crucial. That’s when concentration is vital, but Nair had little control as the ball bounced unexpectedly.”