In the ongoing Test series against England, most of the Indian batsmen have found it difficult to score runs consistently expect in the third Test of the 5-match series at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. On the other hand, Indian all-rounder Axar Patel has made a successful County debut for Durham. Patel batted with the lower order and tailenders to register an unbeaten knock of 95 runs from 99 deliveries taking Durham to a respectable score of 295 on a tough Cardiff pitch.
In reply to Glamorgan’s below par score of 154 in the first innings, Durham opening batsmen got starts but none of them manage to convert it into something big barring opener Alex Lees (69 runs from 98 balls). After the middle order collapse, Patel decided to counter-attack with wicketkeeper-batsman Stuart Poynter.
Axar also batted with the tailenders scoring more than 50 percent runs in boundaries. His innings had 12 fours and 2 sixes and the strike rate was as impressive as 95.96. The southpaw could’ve easily scored a century on debut but ran out of partners on the other end.
WATCH – Axar Patel found short of the crease
In the first innings, Patel scalped two wickets in just 19 balls. His century may have just won the match for Durham as Glamorgan’s batting lineup faced another collapse and they were reduced to 79 for 7 wickets in the second innings at the end of Day 2. Axar took another wicket in the second innings which might be used for mopping up the tail on Day 3 as well. With 3 wickets in hand, Glamorgan still trails by 62 runs.
Here are a few highlights of his performance in County Championship Division Two:
Two wickets in first innings:
Second over; first Durham wicket for @akshar2026
Live scorecard: https://t.co/MtHGDReCu4
142/9 #GLAvDUR #ForTheNorth pic.twitter.com/L5AuUEMIaD
— Durham Cricket (@DurhamCricket) August 19, 2018
Two for Patel & Glamorgan are all out for 154
Live scorecard: https://t.co/MtHGDReCu4#GLAvDUR #ForTheNorth pic.twitter.com/p9gDqXwpRH
— Durham Cricket (@DurhamCricket) August 19, 2018
Here are some of the shots Axar played during his knock:
Lunch @ 175/6
Live scorecard: https://t.co/enYoJa97ZW #GLAvDUR #ForTheNorth pic.twitter.com/8tXyz6MkJ5
— Durham Cricket (@DurhamCricket) August 20, 2018
Hustled high. Patel moves to 88*
Live scorecard: https://t.co/enYoJa97ZW
283/8 #GLAvDUR #ForTheNorth pic.twitter.com/Su2YTocT7j
— Durham Cricket (@DurhamCricket) August 20, 2018
To 95 with another biggie!
Live scorecard: https://t.co/enYoJa97ZW
291/9 #GLAvDUR #ForTheNorth pic.twitter.com/XlnN5nHyfs
— Durham Cricket (@DurhamCricket) August 20, 2018
In the second innings, Patel took a wicket on his seventh bowl, have a look:
Having yourself a day, @akshar2026! Wicket with his seventh ball
Live scorecard: https://t.co/enYoJa97ZW
54/5 #GLAvDUR #ForTheNorth pic.twitter.com/Uu4pvKcufs
— Durham Cricket (@DurhamCricket) August 20, 2018
