The Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah wrecked havoc in the English dug-out on Day 1 of the ongoing fourth Test of the five-match series. He also hailed the young all-rounder Sam Curran for saving England out of embarrassment and taking them to a decent score of 246, after being reduced to 86/6 at one stage in Southampton.
Curran’s valiant knock of 78 bailed England out following the top-order collapse as he made crucial partnerships with Moeen Ali and Stuart Broad, lower down the order. Bumrah said that it wasn’t possible to induce another collapse in the English line-up.
Talking about the day after the stumps, Jasprit said, “You can’t take 5-6 wickets every session. They played well too and built a good partnership between Sam Curran and Moeen Ali. As the ball got older, it stopped swinging a lot and there was less seam movement as well. After the break, we decided we had to create pressure again and work hard for a wicket, and things would follow.”
WATCH – Bumrah Bowls Magical Delivery To Trap Jennings
Bumrah further added, “If you’d told us in the morning that we’d get them out for 250, we’d have taken that any day. You can’t be too greedy and expect too much: ‘Oh, they’re 80 for five, so you should get them out for 100.’ We’re happy with this score and if we bat well, it will help us going forward. You don’t want to try too much in that case. As a bunch when you’re getting wickets, it’s always good.”
The skiddy fast bowler took two quick wickets in the first spell as England’s top order had no response. It implied a good comeback to international cricket for him, as he has now taken 10 wickets in just three innings after missing the first two Tests due to injury.
Talking about his performance further Bumrah said, “Whenever a plan works it’s a good feeling. But (was Jennings’ dismissal) a dream delivery, I don’t know about that. I usually have the in-swinger (to the left-hander) and the out-swinger to the right-hander. I bowled that to Chris Gayle in the World T20 semi-final as well. Whenever you feel that option is suitable, you use it.”
