Even though former England captain Michael Atherton backed Ben Stokes’ decision to use Tom Hartley for the majority of the overs on Day 1 of the first Test match against India on Thursday in Hyderabad, there were plenty of runs scored in the first Test match.
Additionally, Atherton thought that Hartley didn’t bowl too poorly and gave Yashasvi Jaiswal credit for pressuring the youngster. In his opening over of a Test match, Jaiswal welcomed left-arm spinner Hartley with two sixes, making it a day to forget.
Stokes stuck with Hartley despite his variable lengths and tendency to give the Indian batsmen some free passes, as he amassed 63 runs in nine wicketless overs. Jack Leach bowled disciplinedly, but Hartley and Rehan Ahmed persisted in going for runs. Leach, who has already participated in 35 Test matches, got Rohit Sharma on 24 runs.
It’s very much the Ben Stokes way- Michael Atherton on England captain backing Tom Hartley
Speaking to Sky Sports, Michael Atherton observed that Hartley didn’t seem nervous during his debut and that it’s Stokes’ habit to support his players no matter what.
“It’s very much the Ben Stokes way. He backs his players to the absolute hilt. So, it was absolutely no surprise. Hartley didn’t bowl that badly. This wasn’t a case of a young spinner getting first-day nerves or struggling on debut,”
“He actually bowled okay. It was just Jaiswal really took the attack to him. So, there was a point when Root might have bowled to the left-hander, just the variety of turning it the other way,” he added.
Michael Atherton believes that bowling Joe Root to the left-hander could have been more fruitful, even though he supported Stokes’ choice to go with the left-arm spinner.
“So, perfectly fine for Stokes to show faith with Hartley, but at some point, I’m sure he wants to see the off-spinner have a crack at the left-hander.”
“Joe Root is the last England spinner to take 5 wickets in India. I think he took 5 for 8, ridiculous figures in Ahmedabad about 3 years ago.”
Early wickets will get them back into the game- Michael Atherton on England
Michael Atherton emphasized that England can only force their way back into the game by taking early wickets on the day two of the first test.
“Early wickets tomorrow morning. That goes without saying. Early wickets will get them back into the game. They haven’t got that many runs to play with,” he said.
“140 odd or 130 thereabouts. So, what they can’t afford is for India to have 2 good sessions tomorrow, get ahead of the game with still a lot of batting to come,” he added.
The 115-Test veteran continued by saying that Indian spinners could cause havoc in the second innings and England cannot afford to give up a significant lead.
“Then it becomes quite difficult for England, given you expect the pitch to spin later in the game. And obviously, the quality of Indian spinners, which is of a higher grade than England,”
“So, they have to stay in the game in the first innings and be competitive. Even if they concede a lead, it can’t be too big a lead. So, it’s an important first session tomorrow,”
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